Publication

Sudden disasters and slow-onset environmental changes have the potential to trigger conflicts, especially in situations where people are already vulnerable and where the socio-economic, political and cultural context exacerbates existing tensions. Water security is a related – and perhaps one of the most serious – strategic issues of our time. Approximately 18 Middle Eastern and North African countries – some already prone to instability and conflict – are at extreme risk of water insecurity. In Africa, in addition to serious water insecurity predicted for sub-Saharan Africa resulting from droughts, desertification and other climatic events.