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Welcome to the online course on Private Sector Engagement in Fragile and Conflict-Affected Areas!
This online course provides information to private sector networks and companies to plan for their initial disaster management activities in conflict-affected or fragile environments. It defines some basic concepts and provides a framework for learners to better understand the context in which they operate, but also to develop and implement meaningful interventions to support those affected by a crisis.
The Connecting Business initiative (CBi), a joint project supported by the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), aims to improve disaster preparedness, response and recovery by integrating the private sector into national and international disaster management mechanisms.
The impetus for the overall CBi initiative is the recognition that, while governments have the primary responsibility for disaster management, the changing humanitarian-development-peace landscape can best be addressed by a holistic approach which recognizes the specific expertise and resources of different stakeholders, including the private sector.
This course is for you if you want to…
- Familiarize yourself with basic concepts, frameworks, and tools related to disaster management to better understand the context in which you operate.
- Learn how you can plan your disaster management activities.
- Understand how to engage with different stakeholders in conflict-affected or fragile environments.
This online course is designed for private sector platforms working in disaster management, including CBi Member Networks. However, their stakeholders, including businesses, government authorities and humanitarian, development and peace actors, may also find the online course helpful, especially when planning to engage with a private sector platform, chamber of commerce, federation, or network.
Disclaimer
In 2019, the Connecting Business initiative launched a resource entitled Engaging Companies in Manmade Disasters – a Guidance Toolkit for Private Sector Networks. It was developed with the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) and the project was funded by the European Union Civil Protection and Humanitarian aid Operations department (DG-ECHO).
This online course follows the structure of the Guidance Toolkit, but the content has been slightly shortened for simplicity and updated to include new information such as COVID-19 and gender.
The views expressed in this publication/online course are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the United Nations, including UNDP and OCHA, or UN Member States, the European Union or ODI.
Length
This course should take you around two hours to complete. As it is self-paced, you can do it at your own rhythm, over the course of a few days or weeks.
Certificate
You will be able to get the certificate if you pass the assessment with a score of 80% or above.
Copyright
The Connecting Business initiative (CBi) is a partnership between the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) that is dedicated to supporting the private sector in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from disasters. Learn more at www.connectingbusiness.org, follow us on Twitter @connecting_biz or email us at connectingbusiness@un.org.
UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. Learn more by following @UNDP on Twitter or at www.undp.org.
OCHA coordinates the global emergency response to save lives and protect people in humanitarian crises. Our vision is a world that comes together to help crisis-affected people rapidly get the humanitarian assistance and protection they need. We advocate for effective and principled humanitarian action by all, for all. Learn more by following @UNOCHA on Twitter or at www.unocha.org.