§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proportion of the population of Pashtun in Afghanistan have access to safe drinking water. [176593]
Mr. Gareth ThomasIt is estimated that less than 24 per cent. of the population in Afghanistan has access to safe drinking water; however, currently there is no further detailed information available with respect to coverage and conditions. However, there are reports of many water drinking projects carried out by International aid organisations in Afghanistan, which are also compiling information on water supply. The Afghan Government have also started a priority project focusing on water and sanitation. This project, with a budget of US$295 million over five years, includes provision of 130,000 water points/hand pumps to 3.25 million families, and 310 different water schemes throughout the country.