Key findings
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Kabul’s water crisis is nearing a tipping point: Groundwater extraction dramatically exceeds natural recharge and nearly half of the city’s boreholes are already dry. Without urgent, coordinated investment, Kabul risks becoming the first modern capital to run dry.
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Water access is collapsing, and affordability is worsening: Some households spend up to 30% of their income on water, with over two-thirds incurring water-related debt.
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Water contamination is widespread: Up to 80% of groundwater is unsafe, with high levels of sewage, arsenic, and salinity—posing urgent public health risks.
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Data gaps and poor coordination are hampering response: Outdated assessments, fragmented programming, and lack of data sharing reduce the efficiency and impact of aid efforts.
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The report concludes with a discussion of opportunities for aid actors to engage the private sector to address Kabul’s water the crisis.