Khost province is located in the southeastern region of Afghanistan where issues with cleanliness and hygiene have been severely affecting the locals.

Lack of access to clean drinking water and open defecation among the residents of the Qalam Wal Mina area of the Mattoon district of Khost province has had a detrimental effect on their health.

"As we did not have access to safe drinking water, and people defecate in the open, due to which the people and especially children, being infected with various water-borne diseases, such as; diarrhea, gastric, and stomach," stated Ali Shah Amada, the representative of 4600 families in Qalam Wal Mina area, about the conditions in his village.

When the residents of the stated community were facing various difficulties mentioned above, DACAAR restored a water source and provided them with messages of hygiene education that enhanced their knowledge regarding a hygienic environment and improved their quality of life. Now, every home in the community has access to clean drinking water and is thankful to USAID's Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance for funding the project. The BHA_USAID project is scheduled to run from April 1, 2023, until November 30, 2024.

Hygiene Education messages 2nd Visit

Amada further explained that they were unaware of cleanliness and the harmful effects of open defecation before the project's execution. He continued by saying that the project had a direct impact on people's thoughts, providing them with sufficient knowledge about sanitation and hygiene, as well as protecting them from a variety of water-borne diseases. “People defecated outside and neglected to maintain cleanliness as a result of a lack of awareness of hygiene, sanitation, and cleanliness. We are no longer at risk from a variety of water-borne diseases, and the overall death toll has decreased.”

According to Amada, the villagers are completely satisfied and now every resident has access to clean water. They also anticipated that DACAAR would increase public awareness campaigns and implement such campaigns in all districts of the Khost province.

After Rehabilitation		Before Rehabilitation

Written by: Israrullah Sahil