Water resources play a unique and varied role in post-conflict recovery and peacebuilding. As a basic human need, the provision of safe water is among the highest priorities of government and humanitarian interventions during post-conflict recovery and peacebuilding. Water, sanitation, and infrastructure also play a critical role in supporting the recovery of livelihoods and economic development in the aftermath of war. Moreover, despite predictions of 'water wars', shared waters have proven to be the natural resource with the greatest potential for interstate cooperation and confidence building. Indeed, water resource management plays a singularly important role in both facilitating the rebuilding of trust following conflict and preventing a return to conflict. This volume draws on case studies from around the world to create a framework for understanding how decisions and activities governing water resources in a post-conflict setting can facilitate or undermine peacebuilding.
The lessons learned are of particular interest to international development and humanitarian practitioners, policymakers, students, and others interested in post-conflict peacebuilding and the nexus between water resource management and conflict. Water and Post-Conflict Peacebuilding is part of a global initiative to identify and analyze lessons in post-conflict peacebuilding and natural resource management. The project has generated six volumes of case studies and analyses, with contributions by practitioners, policymakers, and researchers. Other volumes address high-value resources; land; livelihoods; restoration, remediation, and reconstruction; and governance.