1998 - Setting up of Waterforce

In 1998 two major natural catastrophes (Cyclone Mitch in Nicaragua and the flooding of the Yangtze River in China) leads Veolia Water to create an emergency humanitarian response unit : Waterforce.

Waterforce's role is to intervene as quickly as possible anywhere in the world by sending in a team of experts and equipment to the affected area to assist the local authorities in dealing with the crisis. Its partners are the French Red Cross, Caritas France, UNICEF, the emergency services, local authorities, etc.

Every year Waterforce mobilizes dozens of volunteers providing up to 1,500 days worth of assistance. Waterforce's experts also provide more general technical support to the local population and local authorities thanks to its initiatives in training and development, primarily as part of its local co-operation projects (Waterdev program).

Thanks to its network of 500 volunteers from amongst the staff at each of Veolia Environnement's different divisions, Veolia Waterforce's volunteers use their expertise to safeguard the supply of basic services and thus avoid outbreaks of epidemics.