The World Resources Institute has announced the launch of an initiative aimed at providing critical guidance on the link between water and security, identifying hotspots to prevent the next water-driven security crisis, and supporting countries at risk.

According to a new UN report, nearly two billion people currently live in severely water-scarce areas, and millions are impacted as a result of water insecurity. Created in response to the problem, the Water, Peace and Security Initiative will be built around four components: understanding water and security pathways and using that knowledge to create a global online tool to identify potential "hotspot areas"; mobilization, including outreach to diplomats, defense and development experts, and developing country governments; learning, including training and capacity-building to help developing countries cope with current and future crises; and dialogue. To that end, WPSI will provide international relief agencies, development organizations, governments, and civil society groups with the models, data, and decision-relevant information they need to take action on water and security issues.

Initially developed in 2017 by Deltares, the Hague Centre for Strategic Studies, IHE-Delft, and World Resources Institute, with support from the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the initiative has expanded in recent months to include Wetlands International and Oregon State University.

"Syria was not the first crisis driven by water scarcity — from ancient civilizations to conflicts in Darfur, water often plays a hidden role in instability," said Charles Iceland, WRI director for global and national water initiatives. "WPSI aims to shine a light on the water-security nexus and develop the first early warning system for potential water-related threats to human security. With the information we'll develop, we hope to identify the necessary interventions to proactively stop the next crisis before it occurs."