Safe Water and Hope for Khola Sorkh Village, Adraskan District
In the west of Afghanistan lies Herat province, with 19 districts, including Adraskan district in the south of Herat city. Adraskan is about 80 kilometers from the provincial center. For years, communities in this area faced serious challenges because clean water was hard to find and WASH facilities were limited. In Khola Sorkh village specifically, the lack of safe and nearby water affected nearly every part of daily life, from health and hygiene to safety and time.
In Khola Sorkh village, the people had to deal with a painful reality: they often had to transport water from the other side of a busy road. This was not only difficult, but also dangerous. Water fetching required a long and risky route across traffic, and the road crossing became a constant threat. As Saed Kareem one villager described it, “Every trip for water felt like a test of luck, one slip could change everything.” Over time, the community experienced repeated tragedies, including deaths from road accidents, and many others suffered physical injuries and emotional stress from living with that constant danger.
The problem also cost the community time and energy. Water transport was slow and exhausting, particularly for women and children, who are often responsible for fetching water. With each trip taking hours and requiring careful travel, daily productivity dropped and families felt increasing pressure. The community’s struggles were not just physical, they were also emotional. “We were always worried,” another community member shared, “and even when we reached home, we felt drained.”
A major turning point came when ActionAid, Afghanistan stepped in. ActionAid staff from Herat Province conducted careful assessments of existing water points, focusing on the real needs of communities in Adraskan district. Through these collective efforts, the water point in Khola Sorkh village was selected for implementation. With community support and coordinated work, Action Aid constructed a well near the village, so villagers no longer had to travel dangerous distances. Then, to solve the remaining challenge of safely getting water under the road, a pipeline network was built, 250 meters from the reservoir, to transfer water into a storage reservoir. This innovation eliminated the need for villagers to cross the road to access water.
After the project was completed, the results were felt immediately and deeply. The new water system reduced risks and prevented further loss of life, while providing easy and reliable access to clean drinking water. The community also gained back time and energy that had been wasted on dangerous travel. This improvement mattered especially for women and children, who previously spent too much time fetching water instead of focusing on school, work, and rest.
Beyond safety, the project strengthened health and daily well-being across the village. With easier access to clean water, families improved their hygiene practices and faced fewer illnesses related to waterborne diseases. Approximately 70 families, including about 500 community members, benefited from the rehabilitated water supply under the DAWAM project of Action Aid. The impact reached both children and adults: children were no longer at risk when carrying water across the road, and they were less exposed to diseases linked to unsafe water. As health improved, families gained better productivity and more time for other activities, reducing the daily struggles that had been part of life for too long.
In Khola Sorkh village, what began as a life-threatening water-fetching problem became a story of hope, safety, and transformation. The new system did more than bring water, it restored security, improved health, saved time, and helped families move forward with confidence. The community people of Khola Sorkh village of Adraskan district appreciated the implementation of the DAWAM project in their village, and they praised ActionAid by giving an appreciation letter to the ActionAid office, thanking them for their support and commitment to WASH and community well-being.