For years, access to safe drinking water has remained one of the greatest challenges for the residents of Pasha Dara village in Keshem District of Badakhshan Province. Among them was 69-year-old Wali Mohammad, a farmer and community representative who supports a joint family of 22 members.

Like the rest of the village, Wali Mohammad's family relied on untreated stream water for drinking. During winter, nearby water sources froze, forcing men, women, and children to walk long distances, sometimes climbing mountains, to fetch water. The burden often kept children away from school and exposed families to waterborne diseases.
 

                                                     Pasha Dara, Keshem district, Badakhshan

Recalling those difficult days with a heavy heart, Wali Mohammad said, "Before the project, we had relied on unsafe stream water. Many people had suffered from illnesses, including typhoid, and we had even lost members of our community. Our children had often missed school because they had spent hours fetching water from distant places."

To address these challenges, DACAAR implemented the "Improving Sustainable Access to Safe Drinking Water in Badakhshan (Keshem District)" project under the Rural Development Program (RDP) from November 2025 to May 2026, with support from Solidarity Committee (SC) and Water for All. The project rehabilitated reservoirs and water supply networks, installed more than 122 kilometers of pipelines, constructed 2,628 standposts, and strengthened community management by establishing a Water Management Committee and providing practical training to a local mechanic.

                                                    Rehabilitated Water Reservoir in Pasha Dara 

With a smile, Wali Mohammad reflected on the transformation, saying, "After the project, our families had become healthier, and our children had been able to attend school regularly instead of spending their time collecting water. We had finally enjoyed peace of mind because safe drinking water had become available close to our homes."

Today, Wali Mohammad continues farming wheat, maize, and peas while leading his community with hope for a better future. Grateful for the project's impact, he expressed his wish that similar support would reach neighboring villages and that additional water infrastructure would also strengthen local agriculture.

                                                            Wali Mohammad with his grandchildren (from right to left): Amruddin, Aswa, Aisha, Abida, and Sadiqa, enjoying easy access to safe drinking water. 

Photographed and written by: Israrullah Sahil