HANOI, December 03, 2020 — Today the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced private sector engagement (PSE) pilot projects in Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Caribbean to advance innovative solutions to reduce the risk and impact of natural disasters. These projects are aimed at helping the humanitarian community better understand how the private sector can invest in projects that mitigate the risk of disasters; increase businesses’ participation in community disaster preparedness plans and policies; help reduce the social and economic impacts of disasters; and support communities’ efforts to recover and rebuild after disaster strikes.
These USAID-supported pilot programs will help countries develop stronger relationships with private sector actors and develop mutually-beneficial projects that strengthen entire communities’ disaster resilience. The pilot programs include:
- Indonesia: Miyamoto International will work to strengthen the private-sector’s preparedness for earthquakes and other disasters, and integrate the business community into national and local disaster management planning to better mitigate social and economic impacts.
- Vietnam: The Asia Foundation, in partnership with ISET International, the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), and the Vietnam Institute for Development Strategy (VIDS), will bring together key private sector, local government, and civil society actors to collaboratively design and launch multi-stakeholder pilot projects to strengthen flood mitigation efforts and improve water network management in the coastal city of Quy Nhon, Binh Dinh Province.
- Caribbean: The Global Knowledge Initiative with support from 1Row, will work to increase private sector engagement and investment in disaster risk reduction and response efforts. This pilot will help channel private sector contributions to disaster preparedness by helping companies recognize that disaster resilient communities help their bottom lines.
USAID responds to an average of 75 disasters in more than 70 countries every year. Through collaboration with the private sector, USAID can harness innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship to improve the efficiency of humanitarian assistance. To learn more about USAID’s work with the private sector, visit https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/private-sector-engagement.
