Afghanistan is confronting a severe water crisis as millions of Afghans return from neighbouring countries, stretching an already fragile water system to its limits.

In an investigation by The Independent, the news outlet found the country has seen weak snowfall this season, with groundwater levels dropping and dams such as the Qargha Dam at risk of running low.

Around 80% of Kabul’s groundwater is unsafe, and nearly half of the city’s wells have already dried up, the report stated. Experts warn the city’s aquifers could be depleted by 2030.

Since 2023, more than five million Afghans have returned from Iran and Pakistan, putting additional pressure on water infrastructure. A Mercy Corps assessment found that three-quarters of households in districts hosting returnees report difficulty accessing clean water.

Prolonged droughts, coupled with aid cuts from countries including the US and UK, have worsened the crisis. Save the Children has reported disruptions to health, education, and clean water services affecting hundreds of thousands. NGOs warn that without significant investment in water infrastructure and improved management, entire neighbourhoods could face displacement.

“The situation is critical but not hopeless,” said Mercy Corps’ Marianna von Zahn. “Afghans are resilient, and communities are already implementing water rationing and exploring water-saving solutions, but urgent support is needed.”

A major exhibition highlighting more than 5,000 years of Afghanistan’s history, culture, and artistic heritage has opened at the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha under the title Empire of Light: Visions and Voices of Afghanistan.

The exhibition was inaugurated by Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani and will run from February 2 to May 30, 2026. It presents a sweeping narrative of Afghanistan’s past, tracing its role as a crossroads of civilizations, cultures, and ideas from ancient times to the modern era.

Featuring nearly 150 artefacts, the exhibition brings together archaeological objects, metalwork, glass, manuscripts, textiles, and architectural elements that reflect the country’s rich and diverse cultural legacy. The displays explore key historical periods, including the pre-Islamic era, the rise and spread of Islam, and later artistic and cultural developments.

A central theme of the exhibition is heritage preservation. Large-scale wooden architectural models of historic Afghan sites and monuments highlight ongoing conservation and restoration efforts, offering insight into the country’s architectural traditions and craftsmanship.

Organised both thematically and chronologically, Empire of Light aims to challenge narrow perceptions of Afghanistan by presenting its long-standing contributions to global culture, learning, and artistic expression. The exhibition also emphasizes the resilience of Afghan heritage despite decades of conflict and upheaval.

Through immersive displays and carefully curated works, Empire of Light: Visions and Voices of Afghanistan offers visitors a deeper understanding of the country’s historical significance and enduring cultural identity.

A nationwide polio vaccination campaign has been launched in 18 provinces across Afghanistan, targeting more than 7.3 million children under the age of five, the Ministry of Public Health announced on Monday.

Ministry spokesperson Sharafat Zaman Amarkhel said the campaign is currently underway in Kabul, Nangarhar, Laghman, Kunar, Nuristan, Paktia, Paktika, Khost, Ghazni, Badghis, Herat, Kunduz, Faryab, Balkh, Zabul, Uruzgan, Helmand and Kandahar.

The “Polio Free Afghanistan” organization confirmed that the drive is being carried out in close coordination with international health organizations and partner agencies.

Health officials say the campaign forms part of continued efforts to protect children from the crippling disease and move closer to its eradication. Afghanistan and Pakistan remain the only two countries worldwide where wild poliovirus transmission has not yet been eliminated, largely due to insecurity, vaccine hesitancy and difficulties accessing children in remote areas.

Authorities have urged families to cooperate fully with vaccination teams to ensure all eligible children receive the life-saving polio drops.