India Becomes Veolia Foundation’s Regional Emergency Response Hub for Asia-Pacific

Veolia Foundation launches Veoliaforce Hub in Delhi to accelerate disaster response and provide safe drinking water across South and Southeast Asia

The Veolia Foundation has launched a new Veoliaforce Hub in Delhi, establishing India as a regional base for emergency response operations across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region.

The new hub will enable Veolia to pre-position critical emergency equipment, deploy trained specialist teams and provide mobile water treatment solutions closer to communities affected by natural disasters and humanitarian crises.

The Delhi facility will serve as both an operational and training centre, strengthening Veolia Foundation’s ability to respond rapidly to emergencies across South and Southeast Asia.

Mobile Water Treatment Technology for Rapid Response

The Veoliaforce Hub is equipped with mobile water treatment technologies that can be transported and deployed quickly in emergency situations.

The facility will support the deployment of Aquaforce mobile water treatment units, which are designed to provide safe drinking water to populations of approximately 2,000 to 7,500 people per unit.

By keeping essential equipment and trained personnel ready in India, Veolia aims to reduce response times when disasters occur, particularly during the critical early stages when access to safe drinking water and essential services can be severely disrupted.

The regional response model combines pre-positioned equipment, trained local employees and Veolia’s expertise in water, sanitation and essential services.

25 Volunteers Trained for Emergency Deployment

As part of the launch, 25 volunteers from Veolia operations across India underwent an intensive week of field training and certification.

Participants from Bengaluru, Noida, Gujarat, Karnataka and Nagpur were trained to respond to natural disasters and humanitarian emergencies. The programme included crisis simulations and practical training on the deployment of specialised equipment, including Aquaforce mobile water treatment units.

The trained volunteers will form part of a dedicated pool of specialists who can be mobilised when emergency support is required.

Turning Employee Expertise into Emergency Response

The Veoliaforce Hub is built around a skills-based volunteering model that draws on the technical expertise of Veolia employees working in areas such as water treatment, sanitation, logistics and environmental engineering.

According to Veolia Foundation, the initiative will allow employees to use their professional skills to support communities affected by crises while helping the organisation deploy the right expertise and equipment more quickly.

“Building environmental security and protecting essential services is an urgent priority across India and the APAC region. With this new Veoliaforce Hub in Delhi, we are putting people, equipment and expertise closer to where they may be needed, so that we can respond faster when a disaster strikes,” said Guillaume Dourdin, Chief Executive Officer, India, Veolia.

He added that India’s strategic location, growing disaster-response capabilities and Veolia’s established operational presence make it an ideal base for coordinating emergency interventions across South and Southeast Asia.

Supporting Veolia’s Long-Term Presence in India

The establishment of the Delhi hub also strengthens Veolia’s broader commitment to India. Alongside its operational activities, the company continues to support local initiatives, including Medical Mobile Units in Gujarat and social inclusion programmes such as Life Project 4 Youth (LP4Y).

The company said the new hub will complement these initiatives by combining its operational expertise with a dedicated regional emergency response capability.

Coordination with International Emergency Partners

The launch also brought together international emergency response partners, including the Red Cross, along with local authorities. Discussions focused on emergency response protocols, coordination mechanisms and operational strategies.

David Poinard, Executive Officer, Veolia Foundation, said proximity and rapid deployment are essential to providing effective support during emergencies.

“The Delhi hub gives our employees a concrete framework to put their professional skills at the service of communities affected by crises, while enabling us to mobilise the right expertise and equipment more rapidly across the region,” he said.

With the new Delhi hub, Veolia Foundation aims to strengthen regional disaster preparedness by bringing together trained personnel, specialised technology and emergency response partners. The initiative is expected to improve the speed and effectiveness of emergency assistance to communities across the Asia-Pacific region.