Building business resilience
The role of the FBDRC
THE Fiji Business Disaster Resilience Council (FBDRC) is one of the nine councils of the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation and has been working closely with relevant stakeholders to ensure risk reduction, preparedness, and timely response and recovery. In response to the destructive impact of Severe Tropical Cyclone Winston, FBDRC was established in 2016.
To understand how well the private sector helps after a disaster, the FBDRC was made to improve co-operation between private businesses in Fiji, the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO), UN Agencies, and groups that provide aid during emergencies.
Its key objectives include reducing disaster risks, improving emergency preparedness, facilitating response efforts, and promoting recovery.
The council has developed comprehensive toolkits for Small Medium Enterprises, focusing on business continuity after disasters, and has actively engaged with communities in Fiji through disaster risk reduction training.
Mission
Provide a platform for the private sector to both manage impacts to themselves, and support government, civil society and development partners in building climate resilience and preparing for and responding to disasters and emergencies.
Our work
Stakeholder engagement (private sector, public sector, NDMO, development partners and other stakeholders) towards:
• Risk reduction;
• Preparedness; and
• Response and recovery.
Our theme
“Resilient Businesses Ready for Tomorrow”. The council is proactively engaged in connecting with its members through its monthly meetings and co-ordinating informational sessions.
As one of its primary initiatives for the year, FBDRC, with support from the Connecting Business initiative and in partnership with the Fiji NDMO, has launched the “Collaborative Disaster Awareness Initiative”.
This initiative aims to raise awareness about disasters.
The council has introduced disaster awareness materials for approximately 70,000 students ranging from Year 9 to Year 13 through the Ministry of Education.
Dirk Wagener, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Fiji, graced the launch event as the chief guest, alongside Mitieli Cama, the deputy secretary for Ministry for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management, and Biu Colati from the Ministry of Education.
The distributed materials include an A2 cyclone tracking map and calendar, along with school pocket calendars containing valuable disaster awareness information.
FBDRC’s collaborative effort seeks to foster effective partnerships to co-create a sustainable and resilient future.
The introduction of the “Collaborative Disaster Awareness Initiative” comes at an opportune moment, coinciding with Fiji’s cyclone season and the recent commencement of the school year.
The distributed materials will undoubtedly prove beneficial to students during this time.
The council remains committed to fostering collaborative initiatives with stakeholders and promoting disaster awareness. The Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation commends the FBDRC for its supportive role and collaborative efforts in engaging with the stakeholders.
With the appointment of the co-ordinator, Pricilla Ram, the council is gearing up for a series of activities in the upcoming months.
These activities include information sessions, collaborative meetings, and discussions, particularly during the cyclone season in Fiji.
Is your organisation registered with the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation (FCEF)? Does your organisation have a representative on the Fiji Business Disaster Resilience Council (FBDRC)? Enquire now, email employer@fcef.com.fj or fbdrc@ fcef.com.fj and get connected to FBDRC.