Following the earthquake that struck Colombia on August 10, 2026, Veolia teams are mobilizing alongside affected communities. In Valle del Cauca and Manizales, more than 1,000 employees are working to maintain essential services and support emergency response operations, while helping protect public safety and the environment.
Since the onset of the emergency, Veolia has been on the ground alongside local authorities and communities in the affected areas.
In these exceptional circumstances, the priority is twofold: to ensure continuity of essential services while helping protect public safety and the environment. Water, waste management, industrial services, wastewater services: teams are continuing their operations while adapting resources to the needs of the hardest-hit areas.
Keeping essential services running in the heart of the emergency
More than 1,000 Veolia employees are currently mobilized in the field to ensure business continuity and support emergency response operations.
In Valle del Cauca, teams are working in particular in Cali, Palmira, Buga, Tuluá, La Unión, Zarzal and several other affected municipalities. Veolia has deployed additional equipment and vehicles to support operations in the hardest-hit municipalities.
This mobilization also includes in-depth safety assessments of operational sites and administrative offices to ensure the safety of employees and the continuity of operations.
“Veolia stands in solidarity with Colombia, its communities and all of its employees mobilized on the ground to address the consequences of the earthquake and support affected communities in their recovery.”
Estelle Brachlianoff
Taking action to protect the environmental safety of communities
Following a disaster, the management of waste and debris is a major challenge for affected communities. Veolia teams are mobilized to collect and manage this waste, helping maintain appropriate health and environmental conditions in the affected areas.
In the affected municipalities of Valle del Cauca, Veolia has managed more than 1,000 tons of construction and demolition waste, as well as 1,500 tons of regular waste. In Manizales, 250 tons of debris have been collected to date. The operation involves 891 direct employees and 175 indirect employees.
Beyond the volumes collected, these operations contribute to the environmental safety of communities by managing waste and debris generated by the emergency and supporting the recovery of affected areas.
Sanitation resources deployed where they are needed most
Veolia’s mobilization also extends to sanitation needs arising from the emergency. More than 60 mobile sanitation units have been installed near search-and-rescue sites and in areas close to collapsed structures. These facilities help ensure appropriate sanitary conditions for rescue teams, mobilized employees and people present at the affected sites.
These facilities help meet sanitation needs associated with emergency operations and support teams working in the field.
Mobilization to strengthen community resilience
Beyond the immediate emergency response, Veolia’s mobilization continues alongside local authorities and communities to support affected areas in their recovery efforts and contribute to a gradual return to normal conditions.
This presence is made possible through the mobilization of employees, equipment and operational resources, in coordination with local authorities and communities.
Maintaining essential services, managing waste generated by the emergency, and helping protect the health and environmental safety of affected communities: through this mobilization, Veolia is supporting Colombian communities impacted by the earthquake and the efforts underway to help them gradually return to normal living conditions.