Private Sector strengthens disaster readiness for cyclone season
October 29, 2024 10:02 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook
The Vanuatu Business Resilience Council (VBRC) visited The Philippines to participate in the inaugural Business-led Emergency Operations Centre (BEOC) Course delivered by the Connecting Business Institute (CBi) this month.
The BEOC course aims to support private sector participants in understanding how to implement an Emergency Operations Centre to coordinate response efforts with governments and humanitarian partners during emergencies.
This course is crucial for helping the Vanuatu private sector prepare for response coordination during the upcoming cyclone season, equipping them with strategic and practical knowledge to manage future emergency and disaster response efforts.
The intensive course involved a combination of online sessions and an in-person practical component hosted by the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF) at the world’s first private sector-led Emergency Operations Centre.
The Centre enables the PDRF and the local private sector to monitor weather systems, assess hazards, map disaster-impacted areas, plot emergency management itineraries, and optimise efficiency.
This invaluable learning opportunity brought together disaster management leaders from across the globe, creating a powerful platform for knowledge exchange and best practices in managing emergency operations centres. VBRC Executive Member and Group Head of Vanuatu Terminal Services Limited, Eliu Luen, attended the course in Clark, Manila, where he participated in active scenario planning, facilitated discussions, knowledge sharing, and group work activities.
Vanuatu’s position as the world’s most disaster-vulnerable nation underscores the private sector’s responsibility to drive community resilience and lead emergency response.
As the private sector coordinator for climate change, disaster risk, and emergency management, the VBRC is central to these efforts.
“These insights will be instrumental in enhancing our support for Vanuatu’s private sector and communities,” says Luen.
“As climate change continues to impact our Pacific region, VBRC remains dedicated to strengthening our country’s resilience and response capabilities.”
The VBRC is the designated private sector focal point for Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction (CCDRR) management in Vanuatu.
Established in 2017 as a registered Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), the VBRC works in close partnership with the Vanuatu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) to build disaster risk management capabilities within the private sector, contributing to the sustainable development and welfare of Vanuatu businesses and the communities in which they operate.
The Council’s mandate focuses on strengthening collaboration with government, development partners, and humanitarian actors, contributing to efforts to save the lives and livelihoods of people affected by disasters.
