Communities development and outreach

Lafarge currently carries out thousands of programs in the field. They touch on all aspects of sustainable development: quarry and site rehabilitation, housing for under-privileged populations, infrastructure development, preventive medical programs, local economic development, etc.

For example:

• Wildlife Habitat Council

In the United States, Lafarge supports this NGO, which converts unused land into ecological spaces that favor biodiversity. In less than 20 years, over 2 million hectares in 48 countries have been "converted".

• Afya Mzuri

In Zambia, Lafarge has implemented an H.I.V./Aids prevention program in association with Afya Mzuri (formerly called ZHABS - Zambia HIV/Aids Business Sector project) that aims to reduce risky behavior. Nearly 25% of Zambian adults are infected with Aids and only one third of the population is informed about the modes of transmission. 68 "peer educators", who are Lafarge employees, raise awareness among the population and inform them of the risks of transmission.

Public health actions

• A mobile medical service in Indonesia

Lafarge in Indonesia has introduced a mobile medical service with the help of government institutions. Doctors supply drugs and basic treatment to village inhabitants and local Lafarge employees.

• Fighting malaria in Malawi

A medical center was set up at the Lafarge plant to educate employees about ways to prevent malaria: mosquito nets, draining of ponds and stagnant water, insecticides, etc. The Malawi cement plant has recorded a 25% drop in the number of cases of malaria since this program was implemented.

• Mobile dispensaries in India

The Group participated in setting up an eye clinic and mobile dispensaries in the state of Chattisgarh. Medical care and advice are provided free of charge. Every year, over 25,000 people from 75 villages receive treatment.

Educational actions

• Teaching masonry to young jobseekers in India

Lafarge organizes masonry training courses for young jobseekers. For their practical training, the apprentice masons build classrooms for schools in the region! Lafarge employees also help the young masons find jobs with local builders or suppliers.

• Assistance with reintegration for drug addicts in Sri Lanka

Power House is an organization that helps drug addicts. It offers them a place to live as well as an apprenticeship in masonry or cattle raising. Lafarge in Sri Lanka supports these reintegration actions by supplying cement to Power House.

Assistance after natural disasters

• Reconstruction after the forest fires in the summer of 2007 in Greece

The devastating forest fires which struck Greece in August 2007 caused damage to the area around Lafarge's Milaki plant. Lafarge worked closely with local authorities to supply construction materials and participate in the basic construction work to repair the drinking water and drainage systems and rebuild public infrastructure and buildings. The Group also participated in programs to restart agricultural activities in affected regions, and prevent forest fires.

• Reconstruction after Hurricane Mitch in Honduras

In 1999, Hurricane Mitch devastated Central America, dumping the equivalent of an entire year's rainfall in a matter of hours. Given the extent of the destruction, Lafarge provided emergency financial assistance. At Lafarge Incehsa, a collection raised €190,000, which was used to purchase urgently needed medication. Heavy equipment from Lafarge quarries was mobilized to help with reconstruction and reopen roads. Teams from Lafarge Incehsa actively participated in rescue efforts.

• Rebuilding and helping local communities after the tsunami in Indonesia

The tsunami of December 2004 devastated the province of northern Sumatra, particularly the city of Banda Aceh, near which Lafarge has a cement plant. Given the extent of the destruction to houses, transport infrastructure and public buildings, Lafarge constructed over 300 houses, set up mobile clinics, restaurant facilities and schools, purchased school supplies, renovated mosques, organized training courses in construction and catering skills, etc.