The world is facing a terrifying surge in water-related violence, nearly doubling in just two years, and alarmingly, very little is being done to stop it!
It's a stark reality: the number of incidents involving violence connected to water has skyrocketed. According to a recent report from the Pacific Institute, a US-based thinktank, 419 instances of water-related violence were recorded in 2024. This is a dramatic jump from the 235 incidents noted in 2022. The institute, which has meticulously documented water conflicts for centuries, highlights that water can be a catalyst for violence, a tool used in conflict, or tragically, a victim of it.
Dr. Peter Gleick, a co-founder and senior fellow at the Pacific Institute, explains, “We’re observing an increase in conflicts, and they’re multifaceted.” He elaborates that while the climate crisis and extreme weather events are significant contributors, other crucial factors are at play. These include state failures, ineffective or corrupt governance, and the mismanagement or lack of essential water infrastructure.
Echoing these concerns, Joanna Trevor, Oxfam’s lead on water security, notes that her organization has also witnessed “a rise in localized conflicts over water, driven by climate change and water insecurity.”
But here's where it gets truly concerning... Recent events paint a grim picture. We've seen heightened tensions surrounding the Indus River water-sharing treaty between India and Pakistan, particularly after a terrorist attack. Russia's targeting of hydropower dams in Ukraine and Israel's destruction of Gaza's water systems are also deeply disturbing examples. Furthermore, protests erupting over water supplies in South Africa underscore the growing desperation.
Trevor powerfully states, “In Gaza, Israel systematically weaponized water. They deliberately targeted water systems and desalination plants, even preventing repairs. The destruction of sewage and stormwater infrastructure led to wastewater contaminating drinking water, and tragically, people have been attacked while waiting for water.”
She further explains the ripple effects in regions like East Africa and the Sahel: “Water is becoming increasingly scarce, prompting people to move into new areas in search of it. This migration, in turn, can spark competition and conflict with the existing populations.”
And this is the part most people miss... Political dynamics are exacerbating already precarious situations. Dr. Gleick points to the Colorado River and the Rio Grande in the US as prime examples of increasingly contentious political issues. Despite treaties dating back to 1944 that mandate water sharing between the US and Mexico, rising border politics have intensified disputes. He recounts a tragic incident in Mexico where farmers, protesting the release of water to the US, lost their lives.
Gleick also warns of potential flare-ups in lesser-known disputes in Central Asia. He highlights ongoing tensions between Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan over water resources. The construction of the Qosh Tepa canal in Afghanistan, designed to divert significant water from the Amu Darya River, could drastically reduce water flow to these Central Asian republics if completed.
The United Nations is sounding the alarm, with predictions that global freshwater demand will outstrip supply by a staggering 40% by 2030. The UN University Institute for Water, Environment and Health has declared that the world has entered an era of “water bankruptcy.”
UNESCO reports that while approximately 40% of the global population resides in basins of transboundary rivers and lakes, a mere one-fifth of countries have established cross-border agreements for equitable resource sharing. Trevor emphasizes the urgent need for more accountable transboundary treaties that ensure everyone’s human right to water, moving beyond voluntary agreements that rely solely on goodwill.
Dr. Gleick offers a glimmer of hope, stating, “We can solve our water problems – I don’t argue that we will or that we will do it soon, but we can.” This includes tackling climate change impacts, meeting fundamental human needs for water, addressing ecological issues, and crucially, reducing the risks of water-related conflicts.
What are your thoughts on this alarming trend? Do you believe governments and international bodies are doing enough to address water scarcity and conflict? Share your opinions in the comments below!
