Emergency crises hub launched for Asia–Pacific

Veolia in Australia & New Zealand has provided $250,000 in equipment and technology and a fully trained team for its new Asia Pacific Veoliaforce Hub, a Brisbane-based emergency response group designed to rapidly assist communities hit by disasters and humanitarian crises in the region.

The Hub can dispatch the team and equipment at a moment’s notice to deliver clean drinking water, sanitation and logistics where needed.

Twenty-seven volunteers from across the Asia–Pacific — mainly Australia and New Zealand — have completed an intensive week of training and certification ahead of the launch. Their preparation included emergency simulations, field exercises and hands-on training with Aquaforce mobile water treatment units, which can produce safe drinking water in challenging conditions for between 2000 and 7500 people with teams of just three volunteers.

“We are mobilising the very best of Veolia ― our human talent, cutting-edge technology and technical expertise ― to deliver immediate, concrete aid where and when it is needed most,” said Veolia in Australia & New Zealand CEO Craig Barker.

“This is a critical resource for a region particularly exposed to climate extremes and natural disasters. Establishing the Veoliaforce Hub in Brisbane, reinforces our commitment to every community across Australia, New Zealand and the broader APAC region.”

The Aquaforce 2000 and Aquaforce 7500 designed by Veolia are engineered to be quickly transported by air or land to establish clean water infrastructure when every hour counts. The compact Aquaforce 2000 can be fully set up in under two hours to serve hard-to-reach locations and emergency medical facilities, while the high-capacity Aquaforce 7500 is designed for densely populated crisis hubs using flexible storage bladders and distribution networks.

By purifying raw freshwater through ultrafiltration membranes and chlorination that meet strict WHO standards, both systems can deliver an immediate, lifesaving supply of clean drinking water to thousands of displaced people.

The Brisbane launch of the emergency hub brought together international partners the Red Cross, Oxfam and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, which all contributed to its development by aligning emergency response protocols and operational strategies.

Watch the video of the launch below:

“To address urgent climate challenges, we have prioritised agility and proximity to deliver rapid support as a crisis unfolds. Through pre-positioned humanitarian equipment and specialised volunteer training, we create a strong link between Veolia’s technical know-how and populations in distress, in close coordination with our emergency response partners,” said Executive Officer, Veolia Foundation David Poinard.

“Veolia is built on the idea of resource security, which is vital in a world where climate change threats are increasing. Veoliaforce goes to the heart of that mission, helping communities that require the most fundamental of resources at a time of great need and setting them on the path to recovery.”

The Brisbane Hub acts as a key operational and training node for the region, distinguished by three key attributes:

1. Mobile technology adapted to emergency situations.
2. High-speed response capability, enabling the production of safe drinking water within hours of deployment.
3. Highly trained expert teams, capable of deploying rapidly with 1 to 3 volunteers to supply drinking water to populations ranging from 2000 to 7500 people per unit.

The Brisbane-based Hub is the fourth humanitarian hub supported by the global Veolia Foundation, with three others in Morocco, Columbia and the United States.

Image caption: Volunteers being trained in the use of the water purifying equipment. Image: Supplied