RASC News Agency: The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has reported the excavation of two million trenches in Afghanistan during 2024. In a statement released on Monday, December 16, FAO explained that the trenches were dug to control floods and manage snow accumulation, conserve water resources, prevent soil erosion, support ecological restoration, and provide short-term employment opportunities.
The organization further noted that these efforts have transformed landscapes and significantly improved the management of groundwater resources. FAO emphasized that trench digging plays a critical role in protecting areas from the destructive impact of floods. In a similar effort last year, FAO announced that it had excavated 8.3 million trenches across Afghanistan to collect rain and snowmelt, reinforce groundwater reserves, and mitigate the effects of flash flooding.
Years of consecutive drought have drastically reduced Afghanistan’s groundwater levels, sparking fears of widespread depletion, particularly in the capital, Kabul. Residents of Kabul have previously expressed concerns over severe water shortages and the drying of wells. Many have called upon humanitarian organizations for assistance, claiming that the Taliban, despite their assumed governance of the city, have neither provided aid nor addressed their grievances.
Prolonged drought and water scarcity have already led to significant livestock losses and further compounded hardships for Kabul’s residents. FAO has warned that without immediate and sustained support, including further trench-digging initiatives, the people of Afghanistan will face escalating challenges in the coming years.
