As one of the Top 3 countries in the world for population exposure and vulnerability to hazards, qualifying as one of the world’s most disaster-prone countries — being located along the boundary of major tectonic plates, and being at the center of a typhoon belt — the Philippine islands are regularly impacted by floods, typhoons, landslides, earthquakes, volcanoes, and droughts.
The Province of Negros Oriental is one of the hardest-hit areas, grappling with the aftermath of the destruction left by Typhoon Odette.
Aside from the government response, the private sector spontaneously expended efforts to give the urgent and need help to the typhoon victims. Civic and business groups, churches of different denominations, families, and other kind-hearted individuals gave whatever they could spare to help.
Regarding private sector participation in disaster response, the efforts of each group is based on their perceived need to go to an area to hand out food packs, water, lamps, clothes, medicines, hygiene kits, etc.
However, there are concerns about whether or not all the typhoons victims received any help from the government or the private sector.
There is a knowledge gap about the existing forms of engagement, and how they can be better facilitated.
These private sector participation initiatives must be further coordinated and rationalized, by identifying the areas of concern , what kind of assistance are needed, and how to reach the areas in need.
It is high time to cooperate, coordinate, and organize private sector participation to maximize its potential and effectivity to reach those who need help.
As of now, there are local and international efforts, with the UN Office for Disaster Risk-Reduction illustrating the different phases by which governments and other entities plan for, and reduce the impact of disasters, respond during and immediately following a disaster, and take steps to recover after disaster strikes.
The disaster management cycle consists of four phases: mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.
Mitigation entails actions taken to prevent and reduce the causes, impacts, and consequences of disasters.
Preparedness includes planning, training, and undertaking other activities for events that cannot be mitigated, generally associated with the pre-disaster period.
Response unfolds in the immediate aftermath of a disaster, and takes the form of relief operations, and other measures to curtail the damage imposed by a disaster.
In the recovery phase, which occurs post-disaster, restoration and reconstruction efforts are undertaken concurrently with regular activities.
Post-disaster support may be improved by strategic and planned partnerships between the government and the private sector for disaster recovery and mitigation.
Indeed, effectively involving the private sector in disaster recovery can open opportunities to increase resilience, and reduce pre-disaster risks by Building Back Better (BBB), and allowing for faster and more efficient recovery efforts at a time when governments are overstretched.
Thus, under the right enabling conditions, the private sector can make a positive contribution toward disaster recovery and mitigation, both in the short- and long-term.
Locally, are there efforts to rationalize both public and private sector disaster response?
Thank you to all who gave the much-needed help to victims of Typhoon Odette. God bless you!
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Author’s email: [email protected]
