Por Renan Filho · 2026-11-05
**Lead**
The United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) has warned that attacks on water infrastructure in conflict zones around the world are intensifying, with devastating consequences for civilian populations, particularly children. In a statement released from its global headquarters, the agency highlighted that the deliberate targeting of water systems is not only a violation of international humanitarian law but also a direct threat to the economic stability and future of entire regions. The warning comes as data from Unicef indicates that the number of verified attacks on water infrastructure has risen sharply in recent years, with conflicts in Gaza, Sudan, Ukraine, and Myanmar among the most affected areas.
**Contexto**
According to Unicef, water infrastructure has become a strategic target in modern warfare, with belligerents deliberately destroying pumping stations, reservoirs, pipelines, and treatment plants to gain a tactical advantage or to punish civilian populations. The agency reports that in 2023 alone, there were more than 200 verified attacks on water and sanitation facilities across at least 12 conflict-affected countries. This represents a significant increase compared to previous years, reflecting a troubling trend in which the basic necessities of life are weaponised.
In the Gaza Strip, for example, the ongoing conflict has left more than 90 per cent of the population without access to safe water, as bombing campaigns have destroyed much of the territory's water and sewage infrastructure. In Sudan, the civil war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces has led to the systematic destruction of water systems in Khartoum and Darfur, forcing millions to rely on contaminated sources. In Ukraine, Russian forces have repeatedly targeted water supply networks, including the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam in June 2023, which caused widespread flooding and cut off water to hundreds of thousands of people. In Myanmar, the military junta has been accused of deliberately damaging water systems in ethnic minority regions as part of a broader campaign of collective punishment.
The economic implications of these attacks are severe. The destruction of water infrastructure not only creates an immediate humanitarian crisis but also imposes long-term costs on already fragile economies. Repairing damaged systems requires substantial investment, often diverting resources away from other critical areas such as education, healthcare, and economic development. In many conflict zones, the collapse of water systems has forced families to spend a significant portion of their income on purchasing bottled water, deepening poverty and exacerbating inequality. Moreover, the lack of clean water undermines agricultural production, disrupts local markets, and discourages foreign investment, creating a vicious cycle of economic decline.
**Analise**
The intensification of attacks on water infrastructure represents a fundamental shift in the nature of modern conflict. Traditionally, water systems were considered protected under the Geneva Conventions, which prohibit the destruction of objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population. However, in recent years, warring parties have increasingly ignored these protections, viewing water as a legitimate military target. This trend is particularly alarming because it disproportionately affects children, who are more vulnerable to waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and diarrhoea. Unicef estimates that every day, more than 1,000 children under the age of five die from diseases linked to unsafe water and poor sanitation, a figure that is likely to rise as conflicts continue to destroy infrastructure.
From an economic perspective, the cost of inaction is staggering. The World Bank has calculated that the economic impact of water insecurity in conflict-affected regions can amount to several percentage points of GDP annually, as productivity losses, healthcare costs, and infrastructure repairs drain national budgets. For countries already struggling with poverty and instability, the destruction of water systems can set back development by decades. The international community, including the United Kingdom, has a clear interest in addressing this issue, not only on humanitarian grounds but also because water insecurity in conflict zones fuels migration, regional instability, and the spread of disease across borders.
Unicef has called on all parties to conflict to immediately cease attacks on water infrastructure and to respect international humanitarian law. The agency has also urged donor countries, including the United Kingdom, to increase funding for water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) programmes in conflict zones. The UK, which has historically been a leading donor to Unicef and other humanitarian organisations, has a critical role to play in both diplomatic efforts to enforce protections for water systems and in providing the financial resources needed to repair and rebuild damaged infrastructure. Without urgent action, the warning from Unicef suggests that the coming years will see even more children dying from preventable diseases, and entire economies will be pushed further into collapse.
**Fontes**
United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) — official statement on attacks on water infrastructure in conflict zones, November 2026. World Bank — reports on the economic impact of water insecurity in conflict-affected regions. Geneva Conventions — provisions on the protection of objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population. Verified reports from humanitarian organisations operating in Gaza, Sudan, Ukraine, and Myanmar.