Published on: 2026-11-06
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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November 5, 2026 Peace and Security
The number of attacks resulting in damage or destruction of water supply and sanitation systems in conflict zones tripled from 2021 to 2025, increasing the risk for children to face outbreaks of diseases, malnutrition, and violence. This is the conclusion reached by the authors of the UNICEF report “Water Under Fire” published on Thursday.
The document records airstrikes and other attacks on water supply, sanitation, and hygiene facilities, as well as on the personnel servicing them and communities dependent on these systems, in 23 countries and territories. While fewer than 45 such incidents were recorded in eight countries in 2021, their number exceeded 135 in 15 states in 2025.
UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell emphasized that attacks on water supply and sanitation systems “deprive children of safe drinking water and essential services whose operation depends on water supply.”
Seven categories of attacks
The fourth edition of the report “Water Under Fire” covers the period from January 2021 to June 2026 and reflects an increasing trend of attacks worldwide. The authors identified seven categories of attacks: from strikes on treatment facilities, pipelines, and wells to contamination of water sources and the imposition of restrictions on the supply of spare parts and chemicals necessary for water purification.
As an example, Sudan is cited, where by March 2024 only one out of 13 water treatment plants was fully operational in the Khartoum state. In the Gaza Strip, over 130,000 meters of sewage networks have been destroyed since October 2023.
The report shows that disruptions in water supply can occur even when pipes and pumps remain intact. For example, in November 2025, a drone attack on a gas field in Iraqi Kurdistan reduced electricity production in the region by about 80 percent. As a result, the authorities were forced to ration and redistribute electricity supply among water supply facilities, hospitals, and cities.
The consequences go far beyond water supply
In addition to directly restricting access to drinking water, such attacks cause indirect and long-term consequences, which UNICEF calls a “cascading effect.” The lack of clean water prevents medical institutions from sterilizing equipment, safely delivering babies, and preparing therapeutic milk formulas for children suffering from severe malnutrition.
The report also documents cases where children died, were injured, or were put in danger while waiting their turn for water. Numerous incidents in the Gaza Strip are cited as examples.
Special attention is given to the threats faced by women and girls, who are often responsible for providing water for their families. Such risks include sexual violence and the loss of opportunities for education.
Employees of water management infrastructure have not been left unnoticed either. For instance, the UN recorded the deaths of 14 employees of water supply companies in Lebanon during the 2024 conflict.
Call to action
UNICEF has called on conflict parties, UN member states, donors, as well as humanitarian and development organizations:
• protect water supply, sanitation, and hygiene systems in conflict zones as a vital element for the survival of the civilian population, especially children;
• create a mechanism for systematic data collection on attacks on sanitation and hygiene facilities in conflict settings;
• ensure the protection of children and local communities using water supply and sanitation services, as well as workers in the water and energy sectors;
• to guarantee safe and unhindered access for humanitarian personnel, water and energy sector specialists to the people in need and essential resources;
• invest in conflict-resilient solutions and support local mechanisms for the continuous delivery of services.
Protection is more important than repair
The report emphasizes that the funding cuts undermine humanitarian efforts to provide access to clean water.
Among the countries where coordinated humanitarian assistance is needed in the water supply, sanitation, and hygiene sector, 137.9 million people require support. At the same time, only 26 percent of the funds needed for the current year have been received so far.
“Humanitarian workers are doing everything possible to keep water flowing despite the increase in attacks,” Katherine Russell said. “However, repairs cannot replace the protection of such facilities as provided under international humanitarian law.”
Please note; This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It is an accurate account of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.