International Strategy for Disaster Reduction
2011 - Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction
Statement of Commitment by the Private Sector for Disaster
Prevention, Resilience and Risk Reduction1
Preamble
Disasters triggered by natural hazards impact over 200 million people every year in developed
and developing countries alike. Across the globe, insured losses from these events now
regularly surpass $100 billion each year. Population growth, rapid urbanization and the
growing concentration of people and assets in vulnerable locations (coasts, flood plains,
seismic zones), climate change, extreme weather events and increasing weather variability are
all key challenges to disaster risk management.
In 2011, there were 302 major human impact disasters which claimed 29,782 lives; affected
206 million people and inflicted record economic damages of $380 billion. Last year was was
particularly significant in that major disasters in terms of human impact and economic losses
occurred in high and middle-income countries. These included the Brazil floods (January); the
New Zealand earthquake (February); the Japan earthquake/tsunami (March); two waves of
severe storms and tornadoes in the USA (April and May); Hurricane Irene in the USA,
(August/September); floods in Thailand (August to December); the October earthquake in
Turkey and the December storm Sendong (Washi) in the Philippines.
Investing in catastrophe prevention does pay off, not only for governments, but also for the
private sector. According to the California Emergency Management Agency and UNDP, for
every US$1 invested in resilience and prevention, between US$4 and US$7 are saved in
response. The private sector plays a crucial role in managing disaster risks and building
resilience. It shares both the consequences of these risks and a responsibility to act in reducing
them as it has the know-how, resources and capacity to provide solutions.
In 1999 the United Nations (UN) General Assembly established the International Strategy for
Disaster Reduction (ISDR) and in 2005 the UN General Assembly endorsed the Hyogo
Framework for Action 2005-2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to
Disasters. These initiatives witness that disaster response and humanitarian relief efforts alone
are insufficient and that concerted action is necessary to reduce disaster risks, increase
resilience and protect the social, economic and environmental assets of communities and
countries.
1
Disaster Risk Reduction is the concept and practice of reducing disaster risks through systematic efforts to
analyze and manage the causal factors of disasters, including through reduced exposure to hazards, lessened
vulnerability of people and property, wise management of land and the environment, and improved
preparedness for adverse events.
An investment in disaster risk reduction is an investment in the future, with substantial returns for all.
Commitment
I commit voluntarily and to the best of my abilities within the spheres of my influence to the
following:
1. I acknowledge the threat posed by disasters and the importance of building resilience and
recognize my role and responsibility in encouraging, supporting and acting on the reduction
of disaster risks.
2. I recognize the leading role of the ISDR and the importance of the Hyogo Framework for
Action as a guiding reference for global disaster risk reduction.
3. I commit to support and enact the following Essentials for Business in Disaster Risk
Reduction.
Call for Action: Essentials for Business in Disaster Risk Reduction include:

Develop and implement internal codes of conduct and procedures. Support the
development of national and local laws, regulations, and policies when possible and
needed.

Leverage sectoral private sector expertise and strengths to advance disaster risk
reduction and mitigation activities, including enhanced resilience and effective
response.

Promote public-private partnerships for disaster risk reduction to analyze the root
causes of continued non-resilient activity and develop frameworks to change these
causes. Develop financial risk-sharing mechanisms.

Foster a collaborative exchange and dissemination of data: Share information on
assessment, monitoring, prediction, forecasting and early warning purposes and action
between the public and private sectors.

Support national or local risk assessments and capacity-building, and demonstrate
opportunities where resilience building is a sound economic strategy, with attractive
returns and competitive advantages.
Signature, Organization, Representative, Location, Date