A child stands on a dry land in Bala Murghab district, Badghis province, Afghanistan on October 15, 2021 [Hoshang Hashimi / AFP]
Op-ed by Naweed Kawusi
Growing up in Afghanistan, water was a constant presence — sometimes plentiful, sometimes limited, but never far from mind. However, it wasn’t until I was deployed to the east in 2006-07 that I realized how important water is not only for survival but also for shaping the very fabric of security, stability, and regional politics. Witnessing personally how water shortages intensified violence, uprooted populations, and stressed weak infrastructures was a memory that later would shape my interest in climate work, specifically on the emerging challenge of water insecurity in Afghanistan and the wider region.
Afghanistan’s harsh environments, which include towering mountains and parched plains, have long been sensitive to water-related issues. The country relies heavily on snowfall from the Hindu Kush to provide its rivers, particularly the Helmand, Kabul, and Amu Darya. However, decades of conflict have left Afghanistan’s water infrastructure neglected and disjointed. Climate change, over-extraction of groundwater, inadequate irrigation practices, and bad governance have resulted in a severe water problem. According to the United Nations, Afghanistan is one of the most vulnerable countries to the climate crisis with increased droughts, flash floods, and irregular weather patterns all having a negative impact on water supply.
Throughout my deployments, I saw how water constraints exacerbated existing conflicts. In rural areas, disagreements over access to irrigation channels frequently devolved into violent clashes. Farmers suffering from drought-related agricultural failures became ideal candidates for Al Qaeda, Taliban and other terrorist groups offering cash incentives. The Taliban, for example, has long used water resources as a tool of power, controlling dams and water flows to exert influence over people. Water insecurity was more than simply an environmental issue; it fueled conflict and undermined efforts to achieve peace and security.
One vivid memory is still ingrained in my mind. In Nangarhar province, a region crisscrossed by key rivers, we came across a drought-ravaged community. The wells had dried up, cattle had died, and residents were forced to relocate in search of water. The desperation was evident, with residents taking risky excursions through unsafe zones to get to water supplies. The look on the faces of starving proud men unable to meet the needs of their families will always haunt me. Regardless of the threat of IEDs and ambushes along waterways, they pursued helping their loved ones. This unforgivable humanitarian situation clearly demonstrated how water scarcity interacts with the larger security scene putting innocents in peril.
The revelation that Afghanistan’s fights were waged with resources such as water, rather than just weaponry, made a deep impression on me. It became evident that no amount of military involvement could bring peace without addressing the environmental causes of war. This realization did not manifest itself until years later, as at the time the only priority was survival — just surviving one more day.
Water instability in Afghanistan has far-reaching consequences beyond its borders. The country’s rivers are transboundary, spilling into neighboring countries such as Iran, Pakistan, and Central Asian republics. Disputes over water rights have already damaged bilateral relations. The Helmand River Treaty, agreed upon between Afghanistan and Iran in 1973, is still a source of contention, with Iran accusing Afghanistan of breaking the pact by restricting water flow through the Kamal Khan Dam. Similarly, tensions with Pakistan over the Kabul River have raised concerns about possible “water wars” in the region.
Climate change exacerbates these conflicts. Glacial retreat in the Hindu Kush-Himalayan region, also known as the “Third Pole” because of its massive ice reserves, threatens to interrupt water supply for millions of people. The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) reports that glaciers in the region are melting at unprecedented rates, limiting long-term freshwater availability. This environmental shift exacerbates existing vulnerabilities, especially in politically unstable areas like Afghanistan.
The humanitarian ramifications are staggering. The 2018 drought in Afghanistan affected over 13 million people, causing massive displacement and food insecurity. Internally displaced people (IDPs) were crammed into camps with inadequate water and sanitary services, creating breeding grounds for diseases. The combination of water scarcity, health crises, and displacement creates a vicious cycle that perpetuates poverty and instability. This is compounded by the Taliban’s oppressive rule, declining economic situation, and the forced repatriation of thousands and thousands of refugees from Iran and Pakistan.
Addressing water insecurity necessitates a paradigm shift in how we view security and development. Traditional security frameworks frequently ignore environmental elements, regarding them as minor concerns.
The work I do now has clearly demonstrated that environmental deterioration is not a distant threat but rather a current reality. It is a threat multiplier that jeopardizes national security. This reality is evident in numerous countries currently at war, be it Sudan, Ukraine, or others whose water supplies are currently being used to exert influence and cripple their defenses against the aggressors.
Regional diplomacy also plays an important role. Transboundary water management necessitates collaborative structures that transcend political divisions. The formation of river basin organizations, comparable to the Mekong River Commission in Southeast Asia, could promote conversation and collaborative management efforts among Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, and Central Asian countries. Such coordination not only reduces the likelihood of water-related conflicts, but it also fosters economic integration and peacekeeping.
Including climate resilience and security into national security policies is critically imperative. Governments must identify the climate crisis as a major security concern and allocate resources to minimize its effects. This includes funding early warning systems for droughts and floods, improving disaster response processes, and incorporating climate risk assessments into military strategy. The international community, notably institutions such as the United Nations and the World Bank, can help fund these efforts and provide technical assistance and capacity-building programs.
Reflecting on my journey from soldier in one of the world’s biggest and most unstable warzones to what I am doing nowadays, I am constantly reminded of the sleeping giant that’s water insecurity and climate crisis.
This sleeping giant could and would destroy all of us when it wakes fully. It does not respect boarders, has no mercy and wields a destructive might. The wealthy would become equal with the poor, black with white, religious with atheists — in its relentless path of destruction. Water is not just a resource; it is the lifeblood of civilizations. Its scarcity can spark conflict, but its richness can inspire cooperation. My experiences have taught me that tackling water insecurity is both an environmental and humanitarian responsibility. It is a call to action for everyone who wants a more just, peaceful, and sustainable world.