[KL1-2] Water for Life in Afghanistan – Lecture Outline
The PMS began as a medical aid organization, primarily focused on treating Hansen’s disease, in a mountainous region of Pakistan and Afghanistan. At its peak, the PMS operated ten clinics in addition to the base hospital. In 2000, a major drought hit the region and extreme desertification ensued. In some of the villages where our clinics were located, entire populations were forced to abandon their homes because of the dire situation. And even if there was a clinic to treat their diseases, the lives of villagers were still threatened by the lack of water.
“No medicine can cure hunger and thirst, but clean water can prevent infections and skin diseases.” Armed with this conviction, the PMS proceeded to dig 1,600 wells and, in 2003, began constructing an agricultural irrigation canal. As of today, the canal has revived 16,000 ha of farmland and saved the lives of 500,000 people. Without farmland, these people would have had no choice other than to become refugees, armed insurgents, or soldiers of foreign troops stationed in Afghanistan. Water from the wells and the irrigation canal the PMS built not only saved lives and prevented diseases, but also contributed significantly to the improvement of security situation in the region.
“No medicine can cure hunger and thirst, but clean water can prevent infections and skin diseases.” Armed with this conviction, the PMS proceeded to dig 1,600 wells and, in 2003, began constructing an agricultural irrigation canal. As of today, the canal has revived 16,000 ha of farmland and saved the lives of 500,000 people. Without farmland, these people would have had no choice other than to become refugees, armed insurgents, or soldiers of foreign troops stationed in Afghanistan. Water from the wells and the irrigation canal the PMS built not only saved lives and prevented diseases, but also contributed significantly to the improvement of security situation in the region.