Finland grants €3m for drinking water, sanitation in Afghanistan

Finland will continue to fund drinking water quality and sanitation projects in Afghanistan, said a press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In 2020–2021, Finland will support UNICEF's water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) programme by a total of EUR 3 million. Finland has been providing funding for the programme in Afghanistan since 2010.

The programme aims to improve the quality and availability of clean drinking water, guarantee better sanitation especially in schools, and promote good hygiene practices.

In 2018, approximately 200,000 people gained access to safe drinking water and more than half a million people got sanitation facilities through the programme. Among the beneficiaries were 15,000 schoolchildren.

In Afghanistan, the majority of deaths for children under the age of five are caused by waterborne diseases. Half of diarrheal diseases could be prevented by handwashing.

It is estimated that one out of four children dies before their fifth birthday.

Approximately one sixth of the rural population are still without proper toilets and handwashing facilities. There is considerable regional variation within the country and between cities and rural areas.

In 2020–2021, the size of UNICEF’s WASH budget is approximately USD 25 million, of which Finland’s share is EUR 3 million. In 2019, Finland’s funding for the programme was EUR 4.3 million. In addition to Finland, the project is funded by the United States, South Korea and Germany.