KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has reported that an estimated 15.9 million people in Afghanistan will require assistance with access to water and sanitation in 2026.
According to OCHA, addressing these needs will require a budget of $163.3 million. The agency noted that simultaneous shocks—including large-scale returns of migrants, drought, communicable diseases, repeated floods, and earthquakes—have significantly affected access to water and sanitation.
OCHA added that vulnerabilities in water and sanitation remain under pressure from both human and climatic factors, weakening the resilience of communities and systems across the country.
Based on a nationwide assessment conducted last year, 85% of households experienced at least one environmental hazard, compared to 67% in 2024. The proportion of households prioritizing water for drinking and hygiene increased from 26% to 37%, reflecting worsening accessibility and affordability.
The agency also highlighted that 37% of households lack soap, pointing to both affordability gaps and supply constraints.
Overall, OCHA estimates that 21.9 million people in Afghanistan will need humanitarian assistance this year. Humanitarian agencies have prioritized support for 17.5 million of them, requiring a total of $1.72 billion.
Last year, humanitarian organizations repeatedly raised concerns over drastic cuts in funding, warning that millions of vulnerable people in Afghanistan were excluded from aid lists due to financial shortfalls.
