Lack of water will raise the risk of conflict – here's what we need to do

May 12, 2016

Boys from Nalepo Primary School carry water collected in plastic bottles and cans as they walk back to their school in the semi-arid Kajiado County, south of Kenya's capital Nairobi, June 12, 2012. The school depends on students to fetch water before coming to class, and drought conditions have forced enrolment at the school to decrease as people migrate looking for greener pastures, headteacher Benjamin said. The lack of water disrupts lessons as students struggle to catch up with their classmates after fetching water, and lose their concentration when the water shortage deprives them of food. By 2025, two-thirds of people worldwide are expected to face water shortages as businesses, agriculture and growing populations compete for the ever more precious commodity. Picture taken June 12, 2012.

Laura Tuck, World Bank Group Vice President for Sustainable Development, looks at the risk posed by water scarcity. Image: REUTERS/Noor Khamis

Laura Tuck

Vice President for Sustainable Development, World Bank

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