UN Moving to Reduce Indoor Pollution in Afghanistan

With 95 percent of its 30million people burning wood and other solid fuels in their homes, Afghanistan is ranked among the top ten nations with the worst indoor pollution. Recently, the UN World Health Organization discovered that 5,400 Afghans die yearly from inhaling smoke due to indoor heating and cooking. Furthermore, the usage of dung and wood for fuel is placing pressure on already diminishing resources. The UN Environment Program (UNEP) revealed that 30 years from now, Afghani forests will no longer exist.

The Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves, a UN supported program, is pushing 100 million homes to adopt clean stoves and fuels by 2020. By bringing together local metal-smiths, engineers and environmental experts in Bamiyan province, this program has designed prototypes for clean cook stoves. These stoves will cut the estimated 1.6-1.8 million premature deaths each year caused by indoor emissions.

This year is the UN International Year of Sustainable Energy for All. Initiatives such as the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstove contribute to the universal achievement of access to modern energy services and renewable energy. By pursuing projects that focus on sustainable energy services, we may see these goals reached.

-Akshika Patel


SOURCE: UN News Centre