In the ongoing Global Envision survey many people asked to see more of the beautiful photographs that we regularly display on the site. Unless otherwise attributed, all photos on Global Envision are the property of Mercy Corps. Mercy Corps' images are by photojournalists and staff members.

This Global Envision photo journal displays Mercy Corps' development work as it relates to water in Afghanistan. All photos courtesy of Mercy Corps. Global Envision is a global education initiative of Mercy Corps.

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WATER Afghanistan

Water is essential for life, good health and economic development. Yet many millions lack access to clean water, die from waterborne diseases or are embroiled in conflicts over its scarce availability.

According to the United Nations Environment Programme's (UNEP) Post-Conflict Environment Assessment report on Afghanistan, whereas the country as a whole uses less than one-third of its potential 75,000 million cubic metres of water resources, regional differences in supply, inefficient use and wastage mean that a major part of the country experiences scarcity. In 2003, only 20 percent of Afghans nationwide had access to safe drinking water in both cities and rural areas. The minister explained that water mismanagement has been widely practiced in the country, and that as a result of prolonged conflict most water channels and other systems have suffered greatly.

Following two decades of war, Afghanistan faces many environmental problems, mainly in terms of the degradation of water tables and wetlands as well as deforestation. According to the Ministry of Irrigation, Water Resources and Environment, some 40 percent of forests have been cut down, while desertification and pollution of underground water represented other serious challenges.



In Afghanistan and around the world, Mercy Corps' work fulfills the water needs of vulnerable populations, from piping drinking water to rural communities to solving resource-based conflicts to ensuring that people have access to drinking water in the most devastating emergencies.

These photos were taken between 1999 and 2004 by Mercy Corps staff in Afghanistan. There are many inspiring stories about Mercy Corps global development projects.






















All photos courtesy of Mercy Corps. Global Envision is a global education initiative of Mercy Corps.

Rest your mouse over the image to see the photo description.




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