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Into the Abyss: Water in Armed Conflicts

have developed numerous valuable practices. In fact, their long- fuel and training to water supply operators. UNICEF has also
term presence in the field is the most important requirement been providing alternative water resources, such as boreholes
for success. The successes of the ICRC in restoring water and water trucking, when piped water systems are attacked
supplies in the armed conflicts in Iraq and Syria are based on the or damaged. This kind of intervention requires a good level
organization’s long-term presence in the region and, especially, of cooperation with local actors and organizations. UNICEF
on its involvement in the field prior to the outbreak of the also supported an agreement with armed opposition groups
conflict. The ICRC already developed a network of good relations in Eastern Aleppo in which the Government of Syria agreed to
with local actors and partners, such as local water boards which, provide fuel for two pumping stations supplying both sides of
in turn, made it possible to deliver drinking water and to provide the city during power supply outages. Negotiations leading to
other humanitarian aid to those in need. this arrangement marked one of the few occasions in which both
parties were engaged for humanitarian purposes and achieved a
This type of assistance can face several obstacles including state specific, albeit limited, agreement.
resistance, witnessed in many situations. In the ICRC’s 2015 report
“Bled dry: How War in the Middle East is Bringing the Region’s Engaging with local actors and organizations, necessary for the
Water Supplies to Breaking Point” the following was observed: fulfillment of humanitarian tasks, including those related to
water, often has to include contact with insurgents and other
“For the men and women of the ICRC’s water and habitat armed groups. Although such groups seem inherently predatory
unit, often the hardest and most time-consuming part and hostile, a meaningful engagement can be undertaken while
of the job is not coordinating the repairs to damaged bearing in mind their self-interest for engaging in the talks. The
infrastructure. Rather it is the negotiations with all parties understanding that their compliance with the rules of IHL grants
to the conflict to guarantee safe passage for engineers, them a modicum of legitimacy is sometimes the way towards
technicians and contractors, so they can assess the progress in both the implementation of humanitarian law as well
damage and then make the necessary repairs.” as in political solutions. There is no “one size fits all” formula
here, and engagement at both the local and international level
In one instance, it took the ICRC three weeks to negotiate safe must not be excluded as a matter of principle. A useful guiding
access to the main water transmission pipeline, but it only took principle for this type of engagement is found in Article 56 (6)
one week to repair. The urgency of negotiating “water supply of Protocol I which States that “The High Contracting Parties
ceasefires” is evident in these armed conflicts. and the parties to the conflict are urged to conclude further
agreements among themselves to provide additional protection
The ICRC partners with local organizations and water boards to for objects containing dangerous forces.”
help with gaining access to these sites. It is also building skills
in geographical information systems (GIS) technology, which will There are various models of engaging with armed non-state
enable the organization to better handle the growing quantity actors in both international and non-international armed
and complexity of information that they receive. Satellite photos conflicts: unilateral declarations, bilateral agreements between
and digital mapping systems help the ICRC get a broader governments and armed non-state actors (usually in the context
overview of the situation and thus better understand, analyze of broader ceasefire agreements), memoranda of understanding
and exchange information. They work with authorities to develop involving international NGOs and multilateral undertakings
global positioning systems and mechanisms for checking that among the armed non-state actors themselves. A promising
water points are functioning properly. technique of engagement with armed non-state actors that
complies with IHL was created by Geneva Call, an international
Establishing and strengthening ties with local organizations non-governmental organization. Geneva Call pioneered what
is a very important aspect of improving water infrastructure became known as “Deeds of Commitment,” an initiative that
protection during armed conflicts. Local capacities need to be invites armed non-state actors to voluntarily accept external
properly recognized as partners to international humanitarian oversight of their practices and to subject themselves to scrutiny
organizations and UN agencies. In the same vein, and as the by external actors.
experience in Iraq and Syria has shown, accurate information
of the local water infrastructure and damages thereto are
required to tailor humanitarian assistance adequately. Marking Methodology for Protecting Water
water facilities on publicly available maps with the international Infrastructure
special sign for works and installations containing dangerous
forces (i.e. three bright orange circles) – as provided for in As mentioned above, an important issue relates to the
Article 16 of Annex I to the Protocol I – should help warn warring identification of water installations for protection purposes.
parties and thus increase the protection of water facilities during While marking water facilities with the internationally protected
armed conflicts. signs for works and installations containing dangerous forces is an
important and necessary aspect of this effort, it is not sufficient.
Cooperation with local actors and partners has proven to be Identification of potentially threatened water installations and
an important element in the work of UN agencies as well. In providing the relevant information to humanitarian organizations
Syria, UNICEF helped to secure the supply of water to more helps in the coordination of humanitarian assistance and should
than 13 million people by providing spare parts, generators, be encouraged further. In situations involving UN diplomatic

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