Water Crisis in Balochistan: More Than 2,000 Villages Lack Reliable Access to Drinking Water, with Women and Children Most Affected
Shiwar News – Thursday, 18 June 2026: According to statements by Farhad Sargolzai, CEO of the Balochistan Water and Wastewater Company, out of a total of 5,577 villages in the province, only around 3,400 villages have access to a reliable drinking water supply. This means that approximately 2,177 villages still lack sustainable access to safe drinking water, highlighting the ongoing inequality in access to one of the most basic human needs.
The lack of clean water is not only a matter of thirst or difficulty in meeting daily needs; it can also have serious consequences for public health, education, and household livelihoods. In many rural areas, the burden falls most heavily on women and children.
In many families, women are responsible for collecting water, cooking, and maintaining household hygiene. When there is no reliable piped water supply, they may be forced to spend hours collecting water from distant sources or using alternative methods. This can limit their educational, employment, and economic opportunities while creating significant physical and psychological pressure.
Children are also among the first victims of water shortages. Using contaminated or unsafe water increases the risk of gastrointestinal and infectious diseases and can negatively affect their growth, nutrition, and overall health. In addition, when children or family members spend significant time collecting water, it can affect their regular school attendance and the quality of their education.
Public health experts have repeatedly emphasized that access to safe and reliable drinking water is one of the foundations of community health and sustainable development. However, official statistics show that thousands of villages in Sistan and Balochistan still do not fully benefit from this basic right.
Under these circumstances, there are calls for faster and more transparent planning to expand water supply infrastructure and address deprivation in rural areas, ensuring that residents, especially women and children, are protected from the ongoing consequences of water shortages.
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