Water, Migration and Stability
Water is a vital resource to communities around the world. Yet like other precious resources, it can be a source of conflict. Its cross-cutting nature, however, also presents an opportunity for peace-building in fragile settings. Deltares works with international partners to support the development of integrated, inclusive, and informed solutions. These solutions promote the conflict-sensitive management of water resources, climate-resilient refugee settlement planning, and water as an enabler for peace.
The links between water and the risk of conflict and between water and migration are complex, multifaceted and specific for each context. These can be further compounded by global challenges such as climate change, population growth, and increasing food insecurity. These challenges exacerbate existing vulnerabilities, increase the incidence and the number of people in need of humanitarian assistance and increase the depth of humanitarian needs.
This directly affects the humanitarian caseloads and operational environments. Moreover, local and regional migration patterns are profoundly influenced by water-related factors. These migration flows, whether forced or voluntary, strain host communities and create social tensions, particularly in fragile contexts already facing political instability.
Global challenges
As some populations face scarce water resources, competition over access to water intensifies which may lead to conflicts that threaten regional stability and peace. This poses a unique set of challenges that require a multidisciplinary approach and action to transform them into opportunities. Water is also closely linked to global challenges such as climate change, population growth, and increasing food insecurity. These challenges worsen existing vulnerabilities, increase the incidence and the number of people in need of humanitarian assistance, and increase the depth of humanitarian needs. This directly affects humanitarian caseloads and operational environments.
The complex interplay between water, migration, peace, and stability underscores the need for comprehensive approaches that address root causes and promote sustainable and peaceful solutions. Moreover, the humanitarian implications of these challenges are profound, with vulnerable populations bearing the brunt of water-related disasters and conflict-induced displacement.
Working with international partners
Through our mission-driven way of working, Deltares aims to contribute to the world’s societal challenges. To do so, we work alongside a range of international partners to help deliver the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Deltares contributes to a better and more participative joint understanding of the links between water and migration, and water and the risk of conflict. We develop methodologies and tools, and ensure knowledge is available. By doing so, we support our local and international partners in developing and applying solutions for water, migration, and peace. We are a core member of the Water, Peace and Security Partnership (WPS), a unique partnership supported by the Dutch government.
The WPS partnership aims to better understand, mobilise, and modernise the relationship between water and conflict by and to empowering local stakeholders to identify, understand and address water-related security risks. Through this partnership we have helped local governments in regions prone to water-related conflicts, providing information for regional engagement processes to facilitate mutual understanding and dialogue for peace building.
As part of WPS, we develop participative processes and trainings to support our local and international partners. This ensures they have the right tools and knowledge to engage in dialogue, mobilisation, and action to address the risk of conflict and to build peace. We help develop a better understanding of the link between water and conflict as a basis to take timely, inclusive, and sustainable action. We also work with our partners to raise awareness and skills at the global level.
Our international partners include several United Nations agencies, including the International Organization for Migration, to build resilience in and around refugee settlements. Improving planning allows for more sustainable solutions in addition to emergency responses. Focus areas include droughts, floods, and surface and ground water availability. We also provide training on Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM), empowering local communities.
Designing integrated and inclusive solutions
Through Water, Humanitarian Aid, Migration and Social Stability Transformation, we support the development of integrated, inclusive, and informed solutions for the conflict-sensitive management of water resources and climate-resilient refugee settlement planning, as well as for the application of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) solutions in the context of refugee settlements and host communities.
These solutions address the entire water system and its driving forces: climate change, drought and water scarcity risks, disaster and flood risks, food and energy insecurity, human well-being and livelihoods, and human responses to crises such as migration.
