
The Bayat Foundation has announced the completion and inauguration of a deep well project at the Islam Qala border crossing in Herat province, providing thousands of returning migrants with a reliable source of clean drinking water.
The well, reaching a depth of 80 meters, was drilled and equipped in under a month and is powered entirely by solar energy.
According to foundation officials, the initiative was designed to meet the urgent water needs of Afghan migrants returning from Iran, many of whom arrive at the border after long and difficult journeys.
Haji Mohammad Ismail, deputy head of the Bayat Foundation, said: “The well has now been drilled, fully equipped, and water is pumped through solar power. As of today, the well is ready for use, and drinking water for the migrants will be provided from this source.”
Local authorities welcomed the project, describing it as a vital step in easing the hardships faced by returnees. Abdul Ghani Kamal, head of the Islamic Emirate’s service committees at Islam Qala, said: “It is very good that water has been made available for the people’s convenience. I thank the Bayat Foundation.”
Sayed Hazratullah Zaeem Agha, commissioner of Islam Qala, added: “We thank the Bayat Foundation and call on others to also provide any kind of support and facilities for our migrant brothers and sisters.”
The Bayat Foundation has played a leading role in providing humanitarian aid across Afghanistan, particularly in health, education, and emergency relief. At Islam Qala, alongside the well project, the foundation has also distributed food aid and supported the safe transportation of returnees from the border to their home provinces.
Mohammad Amin, one of the returnees, expressed his relief: “The more facilities available, the better it is for the refugees.”
Officials at the border confirmed that with the inauguration of the well, the chronic problem of water shortages has been eased, and offers much-needed relief to migrants and their families.
The project also aligns with the Islamic Emirate’s stated efforts to facilitate the return and reintegration of Afghan migrants. Authorities have repeatedly emphasized that returnees should not only be welcomed but also provided with basic services and dignified conditions as they rebuild their lives in Afghanistan.
Local officials expressed hope that the Bayat Foundation’s initiative will encourage other organizations and institutions to step forward with similar support, helping to ease the burden on vulnerable families and contributing to long-term stability in border regions.