Urban Armed Conflicts and Water Services

Many of the recent armed conflicts have affected cities of the developing
world. In the resulting emergency situations, water supply is among the
most essential services to restore. It forms part of urban services commonly
managed by local water sector institutions. This article is based on case-study
research carried out in six war-afflicted cities and towns that looked at how
partnerships between aid agencies and water sector institutions influenced
aid operations benefits. In emergency operations, findings showed that
partnerships did not necessarily influence the efficiency or effectiveness of
the response in the short term but were beneficial because they prepared
for rehabilitation. During rehabilitation, findings suggested that current
practice maintains a separation between large-scale rehabilitation projects
and community-based projects focusing on specific neighbourhoods. This
has a detrimental effect on sustainability and fails to address the needs
of the most vulnerable populations. The research recommended a more
coordinated approach in order to reconcile sustainability and universal
service.