When Water Runs Dry in War Zones: Why Your Child's Health Depends on Global WASH Protection

Imagine your child getting sick not from a virus or bacteria, but simply because there's no clean water to drink. For millions of children living in conflict zones around the world, this isn't hypothetical—it's daily reality. Now, UNICEF is launching a comprehensive research effort to shine a light on this critical but often overlooked threat to child health.

The Hidden Crisis: When Conflict Destroys Essential Services

Since 2019, UNICEF has been documenting how children are disproportionately affected by attacks on water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure—what experts call WASH—during armed conflicts. The organization has published three major research volumes called the "Water under Fire" series to draw global attention to this issue. Now, they're preparing Volume 4, which will dive deeper into how explosive weapons used in populated areas damage WASH infrastructure and what that means for children's access to clean water and basic sanitation.

What's New in This Research?

The upcoming report will focus on two key areas. First, it will examine the direct and indirect impact on children when parties to conflict use explosive weapons against water and sanitation systems—and how those attacks create cascading health consequences. Second, it will showcase innovations and best practices that have emerged since 2021, offering real-world solutions for protecting WASH services even in the most dangerous environments.

This matters because when water systems fail, children face immediate threats: contaminated drinking water leads to diarrheal diseases, cholera, and typhoid. Without functioning sanitation, hygiene becomes impossible, spreading illness rapidly through communities. In conflict settings, these basic services often collapse entirely, leaving children vulnerable to preventable diseases that can be deadly.

Who Benefits From This Research?

UNICEF designed this research to reach policymakers, governments, donors, humanitarian organizations, and WASH practitioners working in conflict-affected regions. The goal is straightforward: provide evidence-based guidance on how to protect water and sanitation infrastructure during wars, and share proven strategies that work in real-world crisis situations.

Why This Matters for Parents Everywhere

While this research focuses on children in conflict zones, it underscores a fundamental truth: clean water and sanitation aren't luxuries—they're essential to child survival and development. UNICEF, which has been working in 190 countries for 70 years, recognizes that protecting these basic services is as important as vaccines and nutrition in keeping children healthy.

The research team will spend the coming months consulting with experts, analyzing data, and compiling findings into a comprehensive report expected in 2026. Their work could influence how the international community responds to humanitarian crises and protects vulnerable children when conflict strikes.