Advisory board members stressed that understanding water insecurity necessitates understanding the local, state, and global politics impacting the availability of water. Since politics and water availability are also not static, advisory board members stressed the need to identify points of resistance and opportunity where evolving political changes worsened water insecurity or provided an opening for improving water security.
Members also discussed the difficulty of divorcing the root causes of conflict from causes of water security as water availability and water governance are heavily tied to conflict. Several members noted that one way to decrease conflict may simply be to improve access to water services – taking at least one element of conflict out of the equation. Others noted that even with the funds, improving water infrastructure equitably for a population in conflict can be challenging. Often, even those with the best of intentions may leave out significant segments of the population that are marginalized.
The political nature and governance issues creating water insecurity are in play throughout the region. Advisory board members particularly discussed the salience of water insecurity in Palestine, Iraq, Libya, and Egypt. Water insecurity has been a serious issue in Palestine for decades, and efforts to improve water availability have fallen victim to conflict. Libya and Iraq both represent rentier states seemingly with the resources to improve water security but have failed to do so. While common wisdom suggests that rentier states have the resources to combat water scarcity, Libya showcases the ramifications of water becoming a weapon of conflict, as internal actors have degraded infrastructure and service provision to harm opposing factions. Though Egypt has not been impacted by conflict, water security is a significant issue. Egypt faces a serious transboundary water-sharing challenge with the creation of The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam which creates a potential for increased migration and a turn to technologies such as desalination. The current situation in Egypt reflects the consequences of those affected by water insecurity not having a voice in their political processes.
Members also discussed current approaches to addressing water insecurity and why they are ineffective. One such approach is climate financing, which the region receives on a far smaller scale than the rest of the Global South. Much of what Middle Eastern countries have received is also for mitigation efforts, rather than adaption to help citizens weather the impacts of climate change. Members also noted the general need to focus on establishing better connections with local entities, including utilities, local government, and farmers. International actors are also largely addressing water insecurity through humanitarian assistance or development. However, there is little evidence that development or humanitarian aid is effective in combating the effects of climate change, including water insecurity. Similarly, humanitarian organizations often lack the mandate and resources to improve infrastructure or build back better.
