Rising water wars spotlighted as World Water Week opens in Stockholm

At the start of World Water Week in Stockholm, the Stockholm International Water Institute emphasized escalating global water-security challenges. Data from the Pacific Institute show 420 water-related conflicts in 2024, the highest ever recorded and up 78 percent from two years earlier. Incidents are classified as casualties (damage to dams, pipelines, treatment plants), triggers (scarcity and access disputes) or weapons (deliberate manipulation of water supplies).

In Gaza, nearly all water and sanitation infrastructure has been destroyed, leaving most residents unable to obtain basic water quantities and driving prices up dramatically. Sudan’s civil war has led to attacks on reservoirs and treatment plants, fueling cholera outbreaks and food insecurity. Iranian desalination facilities have suffered damage from recent air strikes, worsening already low reservoir levels, while Ukraine’s war has crippled water and energy networks, leaving millions without safe water. These developments illustrate the growing link between climate stress, conflict and human health.