1. Introduction
The 2015 World Water Development Report estimated that over 1.54 million Syrian refugees have so far fled to Jordan and Lebanon. Moreover, in 2015, there were more than 2.4 million people displaced by conflict and violence in Africa. East Africa accounted for more than half of the total, resulting from conflict and insecurity in Somalia, South Sudan and Sudan. Access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) is one of the highest priorities following a refugee crisis.
The issue of access to water and sanitation services is at the heart of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) 1992 Water Manual for Refugee Situations and the 2008 Guidance for UNHCR Field Operations on Water and Sanitation Services. In addition, the emergency programmes of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) include the immediate provision of water, sanitation and hygiene services to displaced populations.
Access to sufficient, safe and physically accessible sources of water is a basic human right and a priority for refugees1, internally displaced persons (IDPs)2 and displaced populations3. The timely and adequate provision of clean water to refugees is of special importance in order to ensure the effective protection of this human right. Of equal importance is the provision of sanitation services which include the management of wastewater and the prevention of waterborne diseases. The promotion of hygiene practices is also necessary to prevent these diseases.
Due to many links with other sectors, access to water and sanitation cannot be addressed in isolation from environmental issues. Contamination of surface and ground water can occur when sanitary measures are inadequate or in the case of poor land use practices. Environmental impacts may affect refugees, IDPs, displaced people and host communities. In some cases, the competition over scarce water resources may result in tensions between displaced populations and local communities. Addressing the topics of water, sanitation and the environment in the principles and rules dealing with the protection of refugees and IDPs could reduce the risk of tensions due to the pressure over water and sanitation on the local environment.
The Geneva Water Hub Think-Tank, therefore, convened a roundtable on «Refugees and Access to Water: Challenges and Responses» with the aim to 1) assess the challenges and possible responses associated with access to water and sanitation for refugees, IDPs and displaced populations; and 2) To identify ways to reduce the risk of tensions due to the pressure over water and sanitation on the local environment by:
a) discussing what tools may be used or should be developed to facilitate access to water and sanitation;
b) examining good practices and lessons learnt in the assistance to refugees, IDPs and displaced populations.
The following summary report follows the same structure as the event itself and begins with addressing the question how access to water and sanitation for refugees, IDPs and displaced populations can be ensured (Chapter 1). The chapter starts with a brief outline of the global situation of refugees and IDPs and then zooms into two cases (Uganda and South Sudan). The following sections summarize the main lines of discussions and key issues addressed by the roundtable participants. The second part of the report focuses on the risks of disputes that can arise in host countries and how such tensions can be avoided (Chapter 2). This chapter particularly focuses on Syrian refugees hosted in neighbouring Jordan. The last part of the report summarizes main recommendations for consideration by the Global High-Level Panel for Water and Peace (Chapter 3).
to read full report please click on
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1. Introduction
The 2015 World Water Development Report estimated that over 1.54 million Syrian refugees have so far fled to Jordan and Lebanon. Moreover, in 2015, there were more than 2.4 million people displaced by conflict and violence in Africa. East Africa accounted for more than half of the total, resulting from conflict and insecurity in Somalia, South Sudan and Sudan. Access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) is one of the highest priorities following a refugee crisis.
The issue of access to water and sanitation services is at the heart of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) 1992 Water Manual for Refugee Situations and the 2008 Guidance for UNHCR Field Operations on Water and Sanitation Services. In addition, the emergency programmes of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) include the immediate provision of water, sanitation and hygiene services to displaced populations.
Access to sufficient, safe and physically accessible sources of water is a basic human right and a priority for refugees1, internally displaced persons (IDPs)2 and displaced populations3. The timely and adequate provision of clean water to refugees is of special importance in order to ensure the effective protection of this human right. Of equal importance is the provision of sanitation services which include the management of wastewater and the prevention of waterborne diseases. The promotion of hygiene practices is also necessary to prevent these diseases.
Due to many links with other sectors, access to water and sanitation cannot be addressed in isolation from environmental issues. Contamination of surface and ground water can occur when sanitary measures are inadequate or in the case of poor land use practices. Environmental impacts may affect refugees, IDPs, displaced people and host communities. In some cases, the competition over scarce water resources may result in tensions between displaced populations and local communities. Addressing the topics of water, sanitation and the environment in the principles and rules dealing with the protection of refugees and IDPs could reduce the risk of tensions due to the pressure over water and sanitation on the local environment.
The Geneva Water Hub Think-Tank, therefore, convened a roundtable on «Refugees and Access to Water: Challenges and Responses» with the aim to 1) assess the challenges and possible responses associated with access to water and sanitation for refugees, IDPs and displaced populations; and 2) To identify ways to reduce the risk of tensions due to the pressure over water and sanitation on the local environment by:
a) discussing what tools may be used or should be developed to facilitate access to water and sanitation;
b) examining good practices and lessons learnt in the assistance to refugees, IDPs and displaced populations.
The following summary report follows the same structure as the event itself and begins with addressing the question how access to water and sanitation for refugees, IDPs and displaced populations can be ensured (Chapter 1). The chapter starts with a brief outline of the global situation of refugees and IDPs and then zooms into two cases (Uganda and South Sudan). The following sections summarize the main lines of discussions and key issues addressed by the roundtable participants. The second part of the report focuses on the risks of disputes that can arise in host countries and how such tensions can be avoided (Chapter 2). This chapter particularly focuses on Syrian refugees hosted in neighbouring Jordan. The last part of the report summarizes main recommendations for consideration by the Global High-Level Panel for Water and Peace (Chapter 3).
to read full report please click on
/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/gwh_ghlp_roundtable_refugeeswater_20170203.pdf
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