Discussion 2: The 5 Essentials for Business in Disaster Risk Reduction

Yoshiko Abe
Wed, 09 Apr 2014 02:48:39 +0000

Dear All,

Thank you for taking part in this discussion about the proposed next steps for the 5 Essentials for Business in DRR.

The role of the private sector is fundamental in the effective implementation of the post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction. The current private sector commitment, ‘The 5 Essentials’, was established in 2011 and includes the following essentials:

1) Promote public-private partnerships for resilience;
2) Leverage private sector expertise and strengths;
3) Foster a collaborative exchange and dissemination of data;
4) Support national and local risk assessment;
5) Support the development and strengthening of national and local laws, regulations, policies and programs.

More information on the 5 Essentials can be found on this website: https://www.preventionweb.net/english/professional/networks/public/psp/

As part of the post-2015 HFA, voluntary commitments are now being called upon from the private sector (as well as other stakeholders). These are commitments to be made by private enterprises, industry associations and by business participants during the World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction, as representatives from the wider private sector.

What needs to be updated in the 5 essentials? What should go into the voluntary commitments? This discussion is about getting your input and thoughts on these two key statements that will be used to describe, to other stakeholders, the private sector’s interest and enthusiasm in achieving resilience and business engagement in disaster risk reduction.

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Key Questions for Discussion:

1. Would your current ambitions to contribute to disaster risk reduction and resilience be well reflected by the 5 Essentials? Or does something need to be changed for the 5 essentials to fit your needs? Please explain why and how.

2. With the coming of the post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction, should the 5 Essentials be updated? Please share arguments to support your opinion and possible improvements.

3. Based on current business practices, what do you see as an area of improvement when it comes to avoiding risk, reducing risk and building resilience (e.g. Business Continuity Management; building codes)? What, if any, of these improvements would you be willing to commit voluntarily as a show of support for resilience and disaster risk reduction?

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It would greatly help if you can briefly describe your industry or sector somewhere in your answer, so that we may understand where your perspective comes from. Please note that industry-specific suggestions and opinions are as welcome on this forum as private-sector-encompassing ones.

Thank you again for your participation and input!

Yoshiko Abe
Development Consultant, Kokusai Kogyo Co., Ltd.