Exploratory mission of three Veoliaforce volunteers in Manila

Veolia's skills were put to use in Manila in July. Three Veoliaforce volunteers, from different Veolia entities, carried out a mission in The Philippines alongside a permanent member of the Foundation with the objective of assessing environmental and health issues in a slum in the heart of Manila.

The Veolia Foundation's partnership with Médecins du Monde (MDM) took on a new level this summer. After an extensive program to protect unofficial WEEE recyclers in Manila which ended in 2016, a mission was carried out in one of The Philippines capital's slums last July. MDM had already identified a district in which to assess environment and health issues. Three Veoliaforce* volunteers went in the field to put their expertise in water, air, and waste and wastewater management to use.
 
The water used in homes was analyzed and the air was tested in homes and in the street. Finally, the mission focused on potential improvements in both the waste collection system and the sewerage system. The results, which are currently being compiled, will support the field diagnostic conducted by MDM which also includes an anthropological study.

* Sonia Bencheick, Innovation RVD Project Manager, Marlène Cothenet, Water Research Engineer, and Jean-Michel Mathiot, Consulting Engineer, OFIS (Air).