In the context of National Day for Disaster Risk Reduction on October 13, we invited the member networks of the Connecting Business Initiative (CBi) to share why disaster risk reduction is more important today than ever before and why it is important for the private sector to engage. Here, a conversation with Aicha Mylonouannis of the Private Sector Humanitarian Platform of Côte d'Ivoire.
Why is it important to invest in risk reduction?
There is still time to invest in disaster risk reduction to ensure sustainable development for all populations and because prevention is better than cure.
Why is it important for the private sector to get involved?
It's really important that the private sector get involved for the simple reason that the private sector pays the costs for anything that is catastrophic.
The private sector bears the brunt of the consequences of disasters and it is important that they know that they have the capacities and skills to prevent certain risks in terms of disasters. We must reassure the private sector that it can be supported in this area which is new to it and that it can be an opportunity to do business as well.
What kind of work does the Côte d'Ivoire Private Sector Humanitarian Platform do on a daily basis in relation to disaster risk reduction?
We have a minimum organization that exists with a “task force” that is in place that meets on a regular basis, at least once a month. Today we are doing it digitally because of the COVID-19 crisis. We also meet in an emergency, when disasters arise.
Each company that has accepted to join the platform has delegated focal points and therefore we try, depending on the realities and urgency to work on the most immediate needs among others.
Can you give me examples of the kind of activity you develop?
Here are two examples:
First, in the event of a flood before the pandemic, in 2019 we had a lot to work on. Since we know how to forecast the rainy seasons, we have a partnership with the Red Cross, which offers expertise in assessing needs in the event of a flood disaster - so we meet with the Red Cross, which gives us the point in terms of needs and we put them in touch with the members of our platform to find out who can provide what in terms of contributions.
We also have a partnership with the meteorological service of Côte d'Ivoire which communicates to us the alerts that we share with our member companies as well as with companies that are not members.
A second example is linked to the news that brings us all together concerning the COVID-19 pandemic where the platform has played an important role in collaboration with several other institutions and in strong collaboration with the Ivorian employers in which the Humanitarian Platform is lodged.
We had to manage aspects of awareness and information in terms of barrier measures, we supported all aspects of labor law in relation to the organization of work outside the company when possible. . This is not provided for in Ivorian legislation, so we had to help companies to manage this on a case-by-case basis and to do this we worked with associations of professionals in human resources management.
We worked with structures that manage medical aspects to see how company doctors who are not trained for this type of pandemic could bring their added value.
The Platform has also worked very closely with Ivorian employers to help companies put together files to benefit from the Aid Fund that has been set up by the government.
Today, we are trying to go much further in the implementation of Business Continuity Plan models for any type of business, mainly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Apart from that, we were able to provide our assistance in terms of donations that were made to companies as well as to populations, in kind as well as in cash; we have contributed to carrying out surveys to see the impact of COVID-19 at the company level and to know what elements of response we could provide them and today what is really put forward is to work on the models a continuity plan so that companies can now overcome this health crisis which is now also financial.
We are also continuing to raise awareness about compliance with barrier measures.
How has the CBi supported or helped you?
Since our partnership with CBi in 2017 and more specifically today, we have benefited from CBi's support on several levels. This is the second time that we have benefited from a fund to work with an expert consultant in the field of risk and disaster management and response to humanitarian aspects. Apart from this consultant, CBi allows us to participate at the national level with the National Institute of Statistics of Cote d'Ivoire in a general public survey to measure the impact of COVID-19 on the population and businesses and the impact of government assistance to businesses.
We are also in the process of setting up a kind of call center to be able to collect the needs and expectations of all our members.
Apart from what CBI does directly with us, we share best practices with other CBi member networks, mainly with Madagascar and Haiti because we are all French speakers.
Photo credit: OCHA / Anouk Desgroseilliers