Violent water conflicts are most likely to occur at the local level rather than between countries. This conclusion is confirmed by a new Catholic Relief Service (CRS) report, which provides guidance on how to integrate peacebuilding in water development.  It further reveals how water allocation is linked to questions of social justice, and thereby significantly influences root causes of conflict or cooperation. While the publication has the merit of providing a comprehensive overview of relevant peacebuilding approaches, even the more practical second part of the report often remains too theoretical. For example, the authors provide a useful overview of international humanitarian laws protecting water. However, recommendations for their concrete implementation in a conflict situation on the ground are missing.



The identification of principles for conflict sensitive water development is useful for determining the overall approach to working in conflict affected areas. Nevertheless, many practitioners will appreciate the very last part of the study, which provides five water conflict cases including detailed and concrete suggestions for appropriate actions. Unfortunately, these case studies do not sufficiently point to the potential positive spill-over effects of efficient water cooperation on the overall socio-political stability. A more detailed appreciation of these links would require an analysis of the potentials and the risks of intervening in societal relationships linked to water distribution.



Nevertheless, the CRS report is a welcome overview on the role of the water sector in conflict and peacebuilding. It opens up avenues for thinking about a more sensitive implementation of technical water projects and provides the essential theoretical background for understanding conflict constellations. (Annabelle Houdret)



The report "Water and Conflict. Incorporating Peacebuilding into Water Development" is available online at http://crsprogramquality.org/pubs/peacebuilding/waterconflict.pdf

Published in: ECC-Newsletter, October 2009