H2O: Water Conflicts to Watch in 2019

Jan 8, 2019 | Kayla Ritter
View Original

In 2018, water sparked quarrels across the globe, from the mountains of Central Asia to the world’s driest desert. Water systems were also a casualty and target of conflict. In Eastern Ukraine, water infrastructure was shelled repeatedly. In Libya, a desalination facility that serves a city of 125,000 people was halted for weeks due to intense fighting. In war zones worldwide, millions of people live without reliable access to clean water.

The risks are substantial. The United Nations warns that more countries are involved in conflict than at any time in the past 30 years. Undoubtedly, water will continue to be intertwined with social and political tension. Below are five water-related hot spots to watch in 2019.