Ball, Rhodius and Ardagh Group Donate Canned Water to Flood Victims in Germany

At Ball, we’re always ready to respond with relief and empathy when disaster hits our communities. This month saw one of the worst environmental disasters strike western Europe. Record rainfall led to extreme floods across Germany and other neighbouring countries which, destroyed thousands of homes and left residents without access to drinking water. In partnership with Rhodius and Ardagh Group, we donated 112,000 litres of clean and safe drinking water to those affected in the region.

"When we talk about ‘catastrophes’, they usually seem so far away,” said Business Development Manager Nora Wigand. “This terrifying flood happened right around the corner and it seems so surreal that people were left with no access to water, power, gas, or a mobile phone connection. I am beyond proud that everyone came together to help at such short notice. It’s a drop in the bucket, but with all the helping hands, the bucket will be less empty soon, even though the recovery will take years.”

100 trays of canned water were transported through military contact directly to Rech, a small city in Germany’s Ahr valley, which is one of the hit hardest areas by the floods and difficult to reach. Cans were also brought to Bad Münstereifel, a region that was also seriously damaged by the floods.

“The situation is still very critical and the need for help is very high,” said Senior Solutions Architect Fabian Schwab. “The true scale of destruction is still not fully covered and once you see the pictures of the damage, they stay with you forever.

“I personally know people who have been affected by the floods, as well as several of the helpers travelling into the crisis areas to assist those in need. Every day I get new information about local demands in the crisis areas, and I’m so proud that we could help where it was really needed.”

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