Global Attacks on Water Infrastructure Triple in Conflict Zones
UNICEF report reveals surging violence against essential water systems threatens millions of children worldwide.
1Escalating Infrastructure Attacks
Attacks on water and sanitation systems in conflict zones tripled between 2021 and 2025. Incidents rose from fewer than 45 across eight countries to over 135 across 15 nations. This surge directly undermines the survival of civilians, particularly children, who face heightened risks of disease, malnutrition, and physical violence.
2Diverse Assault Categories
The report identifies seven distinct categories of assault, ranging from direct strikes on treatment plants, pipelines, and wells to the deliberate contamination of water sources. Beyond physical destruction, perpetrators increasingly impose restrictions on essential supplies, such as chemicals required for water treatment and spare parts needed for system maintenance.
3Regional Infrastructure Devastation
In Sudan, by March 2024, only one of 13 water treatment plants in Khartoum remained operational. Meanwhile, the Gaza Strip has seen over 130,000 meters of sewage pipelines destroyed since October 2023. Burkina Faso also suffered significantly, with 145 water points destroyed, cutting off supplies for approximately 830,000 people.
4Indirect Systemic Disruptions
Water supply failures often occur without direct damage to pipes. In Iraq, a November 2025 drone strike on a gas field slashed electricity production by 80 percent, forcing authorities to ration power away from water projects. Similarly, energy infrastructure damage in Ukraine left nearly 7 million children without reliable water access.
5Health and Humanitarian Impacts
Lack of clean water prevents health systems from sterilizing equipment or preparing therapeutic milk for malnourished children. In Chad, poor sanitation linked to conflict-driven displacement triggered a hepatitis E outbreak, with half of the 2,092 suspected cases involving children aged six to 17, further straining already overwhelmed medical facilities.
6Risks to Civilians and Workers
Children are frequently killed or injured while waiting in queues for water, particularly in the Gaza Strip. Women and girls face additional threats, including sexual violence during long journeys to fetch supplies. Furthermore, water facility personnel are targeted, with 14 employees killed in Lebanon during the 2024 conflict alone.
7Critical Funding Shortfalls
While 137.9 million people currently require emergency water and sanitation assistance, humanitarian efforts are severely hampered by financial constraints. Only 26 percent of the necessary funding for 2026 has been secured. These cuts undermine the ability of aid workers to maintain essential services despite the ongoing, dangerous operational environment.
8Call for Legal Protection
UNICEF emphasizes that emergency repairs cannot replace the protection of infrastructure required under international humanitarian law. The agency urges warring parties and member states to establish systematic data collection on attacks, protect water workers, and facilitate unhindered access for humanitarian supplies to ensure the survival of vulnerable civilian populations.