Disaster Resource Partnership

 Watch the video introducing the Disaster Resource Partnership

Business Mobilizes Expertise, Resources in Response to Natural Disasters in Asia

More than 250 million people each year are affected by natural disasters. The annual number of natural disasters has more than doubled since 1980 as a result of climate change, population increase and rapid urbanization. Over the coming years, the humanitarian response caseload will increase and become more complex. The recent earthquake in Haiti demonstrates how pressing the issue of humanitarian assistance is. A new understanding of the crucial role that the private sector can play is now changing the thinking of the traditional humanitarian actors.

A unique window of opportunity now exists for developing innovative public-private partnership solutions.

The Disaster Resource Partnership enables the core strengths and existing capacities of the Engineering & Construction (E&C) community to be mobilized during and after crises to reduce suffering and save lives.

An Opportunity to Leverage the Assets, Services and Engagement of the E&C Community

Doers, not just donors
The emphasis has shifted from seeing the private sector as a donor to being a doer with expertise and capacity to reduce suffering and help rebuild communities in the aftermath of a disaster, as well as to mitigate disaster risk through prevention and preparedness.

The added value of the E&C industry in disaster response and mitigation

• In the immediate aftermath of a disaster, a construction company already operating in the affected area is well placed to contribute labour, materials and equipment, as well as mobilizing networks and supply chains that can save lives and reduce suffering.
• In the months following a disaster, the E&C industry has specific knowledge and technical expertise that is essential to promoting early recovery, particularly the reinstatement of critical infrastructure that is essential to establishing supply chains and making health and education facilities operational. Equally, the industry can provide services such as damage and hazard assessment, hydrological surveys, seismic expertise, design, planning and programme management.
• Early engagement in the relief and recovery phases means that E&C companies are well placed to contribute strategically to longer-term planning of reconstruction, playing a critical role in mitigating the risk of future disasters.

The Global-level Disaster Resource Partnership: A Catalyst for National Networks Development

Who is involved?
The current key partners of the DRP are:

Companies:
AMEC, Arup, Consolidated Contractors Company, CH2M Hill, Fluor, Grupo Marhnos, Halcrow, Hindustan Construction, Steiner, and Turner

Humanitarian experts:
World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council on Humanitarian Assistance, UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Massachusetts Institute of Technology, UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR), Oxfam GB, UNDP , Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery

Contact us
For more information, please contact Tania Gutknecht at tania.gutknecht@weforum.org.