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Afghanistan

Afghanistan: DACAAR extends water and sanitation activities in Badahkshan Province

After initial surveys carried out earlier this year, DACAAR has now resumed work to provide safe drinking water and improved sanitary facilities in the remote Argou and Yaftal Payeen districts in the northern Badahkshan Province. This is a continuation of similar activities carried out in Yaftal Payeen District in Badahkshan in 2005.
The new water and sanitation project in Argou District includes establishment of a pipe scheme with a series of stand posts for the inhabitants in the village Atin Jelow in Argou District. Currently the 380 households living in the village are collecting water from a nearby river, where polluted river water is causing problems 10 months a year. Using a spring five kilometres east of Atin Jelow village for the pipe scheme will provide sufficient and safe water for the villagers.

Likewise, in Dara-i-Rast village, Yaftal Payeen District, around 300 households will be provided safe water through a pipe scheme with stand posts.

In addition to provision of safe water, DACAAR, in cooperation with local community members, will construct three demonstrations latrines for each stand post. Furthermore, DACAAR will provide basic hygiene education to groups of men and women in the area. Ensuring sustainability of the new water points is particularly crucial in remote areas. As part of its implementation policy DACAAR will train local community members to repair and maintain the pipe scheme and stand posts.

In rural Afghanistan limited access to safe water still constitutes a major problem for the inhabitants. Despite comprehensive efforts from many agencies it is still estimated that around 60 per cent of the Afghan population is suffering from limited or no access to safe water. It is a part of the Afghan Government's national strategy to improve health and livelihoods not least through provision of safe water, and DACAAR is pleased to be able to contribute and support this objective', says Erik Toft, Director of DACAAR.

The water and sanitation projects in Argou and Yaftal Payeen districts are funded by the Danish Government and are expected to be completed during 2006.

For further information:

Director Erik Toft
Tel.: +93 (0) 799 55 79 82
E-mail: erik.toft@dacaar.org

WSP Manager Leendert Vijselaar
Kabul, Afghanistan
Tel.: +93 (0) 799 31 77 83
E-mail: l.vijselaar@dacaar.org

Public Information Officer Alexandra Strand Holm
Kabul, Afghanistan
Tel.: +93 (0) 799 33 77 53
E-mail: a.strand.holm@dacaar.org

Deputy Programme Manager Shah Wali
Kabul, Afghanistan
Tel.: +93 (0) 799 21 23 74
E-mail: shah.wali@dacaar.org