Water for Peace
Publisher: USAID
Author(s): C. Zeilberger
Date: 2014
Topics: Programming, Renewable Resources
Countries: Congo (DRC), Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Paraguay, Rwanda
From the congested, chaotic cities of Nigeria to the dusty pastoral villages of Kenya, lack of water can often lead to violent conflicts between ethnic, religious, and economic groups. Without mechanisms in place to peacefully and equitably allocate scarce resources, these conflicts lead to damaged water infrastructure and weakened management institutions, inhibiting access to water for sanitation, health, and livelihoods.
But peaceful, collaborative water management is possible. In war-scarred Liberia, villages are banding together to upgrade and maintain water points, build latrines, and improve community hygiene with USAID support.