Near the historic ruins of Angkor, a hundred families face a daily struggle for water. To meet this challenge, the Veolia Foundation orchestrated a powerful synergy of skills, mobilizing Veoliaforce experts from across the globe to secure access to water for a community in Phnom Kulen.
In the heart of Cambodia, the Phnom Kulen massif is the region's vital "water tower." Its springs feed the rivers that irrigate the UNESCO World Heritage site of Angkor. Yet, this essential ecosystem is caught in a dual crisis: geographical isolation and rapid environmental decay.
In response, the Veolia Foundation is supporting the NGO Archaeology & Development Foundation (ADF) in its mission to protect local communities. In the remote village of Thma Chruonh, the landscape is shifting at a staggering pace. Intensive cashew farming is driving massive deforestation, creating a breeding ground for hydrological disasters. Without trees to retain and filter the water, the survival of future generations is at stake.
The Veoliaforce Network in Action
The response was built on a chain of global solidarity, moving from data to design, then to the field:
- The Blueprint: David Poinard and Romain Verchère (Veolia Foundation) conducted the initial field studies to map out the existing water station and distribution network.
- The Engineering: This data was channeled to Emmanuel Corbel et Guillaume Germier, Veolia experts from Engineering & Consulting. Working through skill-based sponsorship, these experts validated the river water intake and optimized the entire network design remotely.
- The Field Reality: To bridge the gap between theory and practice, Edmond Li, based in China, volunteered to deploy on-site. Supported by his manager, Dorothée Lenes, he spent a week in Thma Chruonh to turn plans into reality.
Purpose Beyond the Job
For Edmond, the mission was a powerful wake-up call. « When I first visited the area as a tourist in 2010, it was a primary forest; now, extensive deforestation is evident. Witnessing such rapid environmental change firsthand, has significantly reinforced my commitment to my current work. »
This mission also highlights a strong managerial vision. For Dorothée Lenes (BS&P Director, Asia), allowing a team member to step away from daily operations for a humanitarian cause is a strategic choice: « When Edmond presented this opportunity, it was an obvious choice. This is a win-win partnership. It allows our talents to apply their expertise in a high-impact human context, far beyond the typical business environment. It’s a massive source of pride for the entire team. »
What’s next? The torch has been passed to the NGO ADF, now equipped with comprehensive feasibility reports and precise cost projections. For the Veoliaforce volunteers in Asia, this is just the beginning of a long-term commitment.
