Many countries and communities within the Middle East and North Africa are currently facing water scarcity crises – a seemingly inevitable fate with millions of people living in the desert. Water scarcity may have a variety of direct and indirect impacts on human health. Decreased water supplies can result in people not having access to adequate water for domestic use and for maintaining hygiene standards. Poor hygiene as a result of inadequate water supplies can result in heath conditions ranging from skin irritations to parasitic diseases. The risk of contamination of water supplies is amplified by scarcity. With such limited supplies of water, citizens, most often women and children must walk long distances to acquire only small amounts of water for their basic needs. Water scarcity reduces the capacity of agricultural, industrial and commercial sectors to grow, inhibiting economic growth, thus further compromising the health and well being of the people. In a joint ILO-UNICEF-World Bank research study conducted in Yemen, it was discovered that children belonging to households without access to public water networks were more likely to work or remain at home and less likely to attend school than those with access. The researchers found that households that did not have access to water either had to purchase water from private vendors or collect water from wells located long distances from their homes. Households that purchase water often can not afford textbooks and other school supplies necessary for schooling and also often rely on income from the children for sustenance. In regions where water is unavailable or unaffordable for purchase, children must obtain the household water so that the caregivers are capable of working and providing for the family. The lack of education that results from water scarcity has impacts on the future economy of these countries as well as the livelihoods of the children who must work or labor to gain access. Without access to clean water, there is less time for school, work and other economically beneficial or fulfilling activities.