United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment, and Health

The world is in the midst of a global water crisis – where lack of adequate freshwater supplies and poor management threaten the health of both humans and ecosystems. This crisis directly blocks efforts to alleviate poverty and to meet the Millennium Development Goals. Each year, two million people are killed due to diseases caused by poor water quality and inadequate sanitation, and the health of millions more is harmed. Coastal oceans provide some 20% of the animal protein in the human diet, but are in a perilous state due to climate change and local degradation. These water problems will continue growing as world population climbs and climate change alters global water distribution patterns.

A critical factor contributing to the water crisis is the lack of indigenous capacity – educational, managerial, technological and institutional – for effective water management in many developing countries. Despite some progress, many barriers remain, including the fragmented, intermittent, donor-driven, project-based approach that has been found to be ineffective, and even damaging. UNU-INWEH contributes to the resolution of this global challenge through a unique programme of applied research and education. It conceives, develops and manages water initiatives that help developing countries build their capacity for lasting improvements in human and ecosystem health, and overall reduction in poverty.

Our two programmes consist of:

1) Water & Human Development Programme

2) Water & Ecosystems Programme