Access to drinking water is an absolute priority in humanitarian emergencies. Following the passage of cyclone Chido in Mayotte Fonto de vivo, in partnership with Capgemini and the French Red Cross deployed 960 ORISA® humanitarian water filters to meet the needs of the affected populations. This initiative aims to prevent water-borne diseases such as cholera while guaranteeing sustainable access to high-quality drinking water.

ORISA® WATER FILTER

A humanitarian water filter to respond to the emergency in Mayotte

The crisis caused by cyclone Chido has left many families without access to drinking water. In response to this situation, 960 ORISA® purifiers, accompanied by 960 buckets and maintenance accessories, were transported to Mayotte on 5/01/2025 via the airlift set up.

The 960 ORISA® water purifiers represent a total filtration capacity of more than 20 million litres of water, and these humanitarian water filters offer a sustainable and autonomous solution, adapted to crisis situations.

Why humanitarian water filters are essential in disasters

Contaminated water is often the cause of serious illnesses such as cholera or typhoid in areas affected by natural disasters. Humanitarian water filters play a key role in preventing these epidemics by giving people access to clean water.

Humanitarian water filters play a key role in preventing these epidemics by giving people access to clean water.

The ORISA® purifier is easy to use, robust and effective. It eliminates bacteria, viruses and harmful particles, guaranteeing safe drinking water. These features make it ideal for emergency humanitarian operations.

The chronic water crisis in Mayotte, exacerbated by cyclone Chido

Before cyclone Chido hit, Mayotte was facing a deep and structural water crisis. This island territory is faced with a water distribution network that is outdated, saturated and unsuited to a fast-growing population. As a result, around 30% of the population has no access to running water at home, and frequent water cuts mean that the Mahorais have to stock up on water as soon as it becomes available.

The situation is exacerbated by recurring droughts, which lead to prolonged water restrictions in several communes, sometimes for several consecutive days. Against this backdrop of chronic shortages, the population is forced to turn to surface water sources such as rivers or natural reservoirs. This water, which is often contaminated by bacteria, parasites and other pathogens, poses a direct threat to public health, exposing the most vulnerable people, particularly children and the elderly, to serious diseases such as typhoid, dysentery and cholera.

Cyclone Chido has exacerbated these difficulties, causing further damage to the already fragile water infrastructure. This emergency situation highlights the need to rapidly deploy alternative, effective and sustainable solutions to guarantee safe access to drinking water and prevent health risks.

CAPGEMINI - THE FRENCH RED CROSS - FONTO DE VIVO

A partnership for lasting impact

Capgemini's financing enabled the purchase and transport of the 960 humanitarian water filters. The Red Cross, with its expertise in the field, is responsible for their distribution in Mayotte, ensuring that the equipment reaches the beneficiaries quickly.

15 pallets of equipment include not only the purifiers, but also accessories to ensure that they work properly in the long term. Thanks to this deployment, more than 5,000 people will have access to clean drinking water independently, helping to reduce health risks and improve their daily lives.

ORISA® humanitarian water filter: an innovative and sustainable solution

ORISA® purifiers are designed to meet the specific needs of humanitarian contexts. Their ability to treat different types of fresh water (rainwater, river water or well water) makes them a flexible solution for emergency situations.

  • Filtration capacity: Each purifier can filter up to 20,000L, before replacing its ultrafiltration membrane, providing a sustainable solution.
  • Ease of use: The device is intuitive and requires no special technical skills.
  • Durability: The filters are made from resistant materials, guaranteeing long-term use.

These features enable ORISA® humanitarian water filters to play a key role in post-disaster relief efforts, providing a practical response to prevent health disasters linked to contaminated water.

Preventing disease through access to drinking water

One of the main missions of ORISA® humanitarian water filters is to prevent epidemics. After cyclone Chido, the risk of water-borne diseases is high in Mayotte, due to damaged water infrastructures.

By providing reliable and appropriate solutions, ORISA® water filters help to preserve the health of communities affected by humanitarian crises.

ORISA®: A tried and tested solution in Mayotte, recognised by NGOs and local authorities

ORISA® purifiers have already proved their effectiveness in Mayotte. In 2023, the NGO Solidarités International deployed 80 units in the commune of Koungou to combat a typhoid epidemic. The following year, in 2024, 230 ORISA® purifiers were distributed to combat a severe drought and prevent the spread of cholera, thanks to the financial support of Capgemini.

These initiatives bear witness to the reliability of ORISA® water filters designed by Fonto de vivo and their direct impact on the health and quality of life of the populations affected. This recurring success reinforces the confidence of NGOs and local authorities in the use of ORISA® devices to respond to water and health crises.

Humanitarian water filter: a successful model of cooperation

This project in Mayotte highlights the effectiveness of multi-sector partnerships in responding to humanitarian emergencies. Capgemini, through its financial support, and the Red Cross, through its expertise on the ground, have played a key role in the implementation of this initiative.

Fonto de vivo, as a manufacturer of innovative filtration equipment, is once again demonstrating its commitment to providing tools adapted to crisis contexts.