A HEALTH AND CLIMATE EMERGENCY

Access to electricity and access to water: same issues, same fight! Very often, the same people are concerned by these two issues with multiple and shared challenges: food safety, health protection, economic development but also women’s emancipation, education and adaptation to climate change.

For this 3rd edition, Labaronne-Citaf is committed to Electriciens Sans Frontières (ESF), an NGO that implements energy and water access projects based on the use of renewable energies, for the poorest populations.

“The climate crisis is increasing the frequency and intensity of natural disasters, intensifying food insecurity and complicating humanitarian responses in conflict zones.
Today, it is no longer possible to think of humanitarian action as a response to crises: a global approach, thought out over the long term with the most affected populations and based on prevention and preparation, is required.”

Collective signatory of the declaration of commitment at the 5th National Humanitarian Conference (CNH) on 17 December 2020.

Electriciens sans frontières

WATER AND ELECTRICITY: RENEWABLE AND SHARED ENERGIES 

Access to water is often inseparable from access to electricity, as they complement each other and are interconnected, both serving the development of populations and the economy.

Access to drinking water

In these countries, whether for drinking, cooking or daily hygiene, bringing a sufficient quantity of water to a household generally requires several return trips to a collection point, often located several kilometres away on foot. But with the scarcity of water and the pollution of rivers, access to this natural resource is increasingly linked to energy, which is essential when it comes to fetching water from deep underground and installing sanitation systems to ensure quality water all year round.

The installation of a pumping system using solar panels and standpipes in the villages reduces the risk of water-borne diseases, but also alleviates the burden of fetching water, which is often borne by women and children.

Food safety

Irrigating a market garden, thanks to the construction of a water supply network, ensures food safety for the population and allows them to develop a small business through the sale of crops.

Developing food crops and livestock ensures the food security of the villagers. Indeed, an irrigation system built from a borehole allows for year-round cultivation. Electricity allows the use of food processing machines and better feeding of the population, and even the development of local trade. The surplus can be sold on local markets and generate income.

Renewable energy production

Promoting the production of energy from local renewable resources such as solar and hydro power are alternatives to fossil fuels with a very limited impact on the environment.

Renewable energy provides access to efficient and affordable energy while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In some countries, ESF’s interventions have helped to demonstrate the interest of these technologies and to train the first actors who wanted to engage in this way. More than 95% of their projects are based on the use of renewable energy, and half of them include water access facilities, thanks in particular to the flexible solutions developed by Labaronne-Citaf.

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OPERATION 2021 : “VALUING WATER AS A VITAL FOOD AND ENERGY SOURCE”

“The current context forces us to take a step back from our situation and to think about the poorest people. Infectious diseases are a well-known evil in developing countries and are responsible for almost a third of deaths. Access to water in a hostile environment is all the more essential to protect against disease. Water is used for hydration, food, personal hygiene, medical care, and many other uses in our daily lives. But poor quality water can be destructive.

This year we have chosen to support our partner, Electriciens Sans Frontières, with whom we also share common values.

Thanks to our flexible storage solutions, they help poor populations to develop sustainable energy production and use systems by favouring local and renewable resources such as solar and hydro. Taking care of others and taking care of our planet has always been a fight that is close to our hearts at Labaronne! “

Benoît Balandras, Chairman of Labaronne-Citaf.

This is why Labaronne-Citaf is reinstating its volumetric meter in order to highlight the importance of water,both vital food and source of energy.

Thus, for every litre of storage sold during the year 2021, a part of theof the sales made will be donated to ESF.

Our commitment since the beginning of our patronage operations: to make each sale an act of solidarity!

MORE ABOUT ELECTRICIENS SANS FRONTIERES

Electriciens sans Frontières (ESF) is an international solidarity NGO recognised as being of public utility, created in 1986 by employees of the electrical sector. Today, its 1,200 volunteers carry out energy and water access projects in 35 developing countries.
In addition to its emergency actions and its expertise missions with other NGOs, Electriciens sans Frontières carries out around one hundred long-term projects with poor populations. More than 95% of these projects are based on the use of renewable energy, and half of them include water access facilities.

Know more about NGO