Over 92% of Afghanistan’s Roads Remain Unpaved, Complicating Healthcare Access

Recent evaluations reveal that over 92 percent of Afghanistan’s roads remain unpaved and substandard. This situation has created serious challenges for patient transportation and access to healthcare facilities.

The Dire State of Afghanistan’s Roads

A report from the National Statistics and Information Authority indicates that more than 92 percent of Afghanistan’s transportation network is still unpaved and non-standard. Mohammad Halim Rafai, the spokesperson for this authority, announced on September 15 of this year that out of over 245,000 kilometers of established roads across the country, only 7.4 percent have been asphalted.

This inadequate infrastructure has led to significant difficulties for residents in various provinces. In Helmand, Takhar, Badghis, and Nangarhar, locals are expressing their frustrations regarding traffic issues and health problems arising from road conditions. For instance, in Helmand, the seven-kilometer stretch between Lashkargah and the historical site of Abyd has critically endangered many patients and severely impacted agricultural output.

In the northern and western regions, villagers are also complaining about frequent vehicle breakdowns and the struggle for daily survival. In Badghis province, other than the roadway to Aq-kamari, the main highways remain entirely unpaved. These challenges particularly hinder access to essential services for women and children.

Causes and Consequences

Construction experts attribute the deterioration of these roads to five decades of conflict, budget shortages, and a lack of attention to road maintenance and preservation planning. They emphasize that roads require resurfacing every 15 years; otherwise, floods and heavy loads can destroy even well-constructed paths.

These specialists argue that developing and enhancing rural roads is not just a transportation necessity but a prerequisite for revitalizing the agricultural economy and ensuring equitable access to essential services. Therefore, there is an increasing need for a strategic reevaluation in this sector.