The international dimensions of water problems magnify the complexity of the water problem: increased use of water from the Blue Nile in Ethiopia creates shortfalls for farmers in the Sudan and Egypt and poor farming practices in Kenya affect the fish catch in Lake Victoria by Tanzanians, Ugandans and other Kenyans. However, trans-boundary and regional water disputes are very real and merit consideration. Although the scope of the water problem is daunting, water scarcity and contamination cannot be ignored. We are proposing to develop an integrated Water Research and Education Network (WREN) that will include African universities, NGOs and government ministries in eastern and southern Africa, the region where the predictions for drought are most dire.