UN report warns global water crisis driving more conflicts

A new UN report warns that global water scarcity is leading to conflicts and instability, emphasizing the critical importance of clean water for peace.

The UN World Water Development Report 2024 highlights that 2.2 billion people lack access to clean drinking water and 3.5 billion lack safe sanitation.

Girls and women are disproportionately affected by water scarcity, with women in rural areas spending hours collecting water, leading to girls dropping out of school, the report adds.

The lack of water security drives migration, with displaced people straining resources where they settle.