An integrated approach to sanitation and health in Kabul

Kabul is a major population centre faced with serious sanitation problems. Poor quality housing, severely limited financial resources, the absence of sustainable management structures, the emigration of many educated people, and the influx of internally displaced people all contribute to the problem. The high water table in some of the flatter areas of the city, blocked and poorly constructed surface drainage systems and the absence of any co-ordinated waste collection and management system are other causes of the problem. Due to the recent civil war all economic and social sectors including health services have been heavily damaged and the economic status of many people has been dramatically affected.