ASIA/AFGHANISTAN-Only 48% of the population has access to drinking water

Kabul (Fides Service) - Only 48% of the Afghan population has access to drinking water and only 37% use reclaimed health services. This emergency situation reflected the serious health implications, particularly for children. While some parts of the country are literally without any water, the majority of people have no access to drinking water because of inadequate infrastructure and due to their poor management, this is what is read in a report by the Centre for Policy and Human Development, University in Kabul, a copy of which was sent to Fides. "In the three decades of rebellion that has shaken the country, infrastructures for water supply have been abandoned or destroyed, while the institutions responsible for the distribution and management services have fallen apart", says the report entitled 'Afghanistan Human Development Report 2011 '. "About 73% of the population relies on improvised and inadequate facilities for water supply, and water sources are becoming increasingly polluted and exploited in places like Kabul". About 70% of the urban population lives in unplanned areas or illegal settlements, while 95% have no access to reclaimed toilets. In Kabul 80% of the population lives in unplanned settlements where poor hygiene and lack of access to drinking water are common. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 07/07/2011)