Thanks to a network of 500 employees who volunteer from each of the Divisions within Veolia Environnement, the unit is able to provide technical expertise to safeguard the supply of clean drinking water and thereby prevent the spread of epidemics.

In nine years, Veolia Waterforce-Waterdev, in conjunction with its partners, has carried out more than 60 missions in 40 countries. The missions rely on a team of six permanent staff and a network of employee volunteers who work for Veolia Water and Veolia Environnement's other divisions.

Donating skills is the principle which underlines the initiatives and culture of Veolia Waterforce.

It enables employees from all the divisions within Veolia Environnement to volunteer their time and expertise to assist communities affected by a natural disaster.

The volunteers' approach to their work is one of solidarity, resourcefulness and professionalism. Since 1998 almost 150 people have been sent on field missions.

Veolia Waterforce also has a training center, the aim of which is twofold:

• to familiarize its partners (military doctors, French Red Cross) and those employees who volunteer with the latest emergency assistance techniques;
• to improve the working relationship between the different teams and to teach them how to work together under local conditions.