Sustainability of rural water services in the humanitarian-development-peace nexus: a case study from Diffa, Niger

Abstract Violence committed by non-State armed groups has displaced over 250,000 people in the Diffa region of Niger and crippled regional economy. The humanitarian response included substantial investment water infrastructure which largely alleviated immediate needs displacement-affected populations. However, ongoing insecurity threatens sustainability these rural services. A systems-thinking approach to explain interaction between different factors for services is advocated a growing body literature, but almost exclusively focused on stable contexts. applied research reported here adopted qualitative assessment methodology determine impact factors. Twenty-five respondents from government, management structures, donors, non-governmental organisations were interviewed March June 2021. demonstrated that impacts negatively all impedes access, coordination, communication relevant actors. overlapping development contexts push implement triple nexus – includes peace as its third element raise dilemmas concerning application tariffs, durability infrastructure, suitability community-based management.