The contribution of water scarcity to conflict is often underestimated. On 22 March, World Water Day, an event is organized by the Netherlands in the UNSC to discuss the impact of climate-related water scarcity in the Lake Chad basin. ‘Water scarcity or, conversely, a surplus of water not only threatens local populations directly, but can also trigger violent conflict and migration flows,’ Netherlands Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Sigrid Kaag explains. ‘Identifying the underlying causes of conflict and developing solutions can prevent so much human suffering. This issue needs to be addressed in a timely manner and brought to the attention of the UN Security Council, as the leading international body for peace and security. Dutch expertise could play an important role in finding solutions.’
During the Netherlands chairmanship (March 2018) and membership (2018) of the UNSC this month, several underrepresented items will be placed high on the international agenda, with conflict prevention as one priority. Minister Kaag will brief the Security Council on the situation in the Lake Chad region, comprising Chad, Cameroon, Niger and Nigeria. Since 1950 the lake has shrunk significantly, which has resulted in large consequences for food availability and living conditions for nearly 20 million persons. The situation has worsened social and ethnic tensions, which are exploited by violent extremist groups. Minister Kaag highlighted that ‘The situation around Lake Chad is an example of a conflict where only an approach that combines security and development can bring lasting stability. Dutch expertise can contribute substantially to such an approach.’ Besides the 15 members of the UN Security Council, the briefing will be attended by the four countries mentioned above.
The original Dutch version of this article can be found here.
Photo: Jessie Barentsen / Netherlands PR UN