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Business Steps In Again To Offer Help And Expertise In Earthquake Aftermath
World Economic Forum’s Disaster Resource Network coordinates specialist corporate relief efforts in US, Mexico and now Pakistan

14 October 2005 - Geneva, Switzerland

Business is once again helping disaster relief efforts, providing resources and expertise in the wake of the earthquake in Pakistan. This is similar to the support business offered to the victims of Hurricane Katrina in the United States as well as to those affected by the landslides in Mexico. The Disaster Resource Network, an initiative of the World Economic Forum, has mobilized Forum member companies to work with Pakistan’s IT ministry to restore telecommunications links in earthquake-struck zones.

“Yet again we see the vital role business is playing to help those hit by disaster,” said André Schneider, Managing Director, World Economic Forum. “The private sector can provide its expertise and resources to help coordinate aid and make sure it reaches those who need it, as well as restore services, communications and infrastructure. The Disaster Resource Network draws on the capacity, dynamism and expertise of our business members to provide targeted help. The partnership we see in Pakistan between the public and private sector shows what more can be achieved when they work together,“ he added.

The targeted aid being given by the DRN in Pakistan involves wireless and satellite technology firms in the US providing communications equipment and personnel vital to speed emergency operations, the cost of which will be covered by the DRN. Pakistan will provide language support to the DRN’s project partner, Center for Neighborhood Technology, while the country’s Special Communication Organization will act as their point of contact on the ground. Details on the equipment to be provided as well as frequency requirements are being worked out between the DRN and the Government of Pakistan.

Indian companies who are members of the DRN are also providing engineering and other resources to aid victims.

In a letter accepting the DRN’s offer of assistance, Pakistan’s Director of Telecommunications, Mushtaq Ahmad Bhatti, explained that relief activities have been hampered following the destruction of communications links. “A wireless and satellite solution is ideal to meet our telecoms needs as the affected locations are dispersed and road communications are only marginal,” he said.

The corporate sector recently stepped in to assist relief operations in several states struck by Hurricane Katrina. Partnering with local authorities and aid agencies, they provided emergency medical care, communications technology including computers, cell phones and wireless technology as well as engineering and logistical assessment teams.

The DRN is also working directly in Mexico with local authorities and others to coordinate aid operations following the floods and landslides that were triggered by Hurricane Stan.

For more information, please visit our website: www.weforum.org

Notes for Editors:
The World Economic Forum created the DRN in 2001 to mobilize the resources of the international business community to rebuild the lives and livelihoods threatened by natural and man-made disasters. It is a Swiss non-profit private foundation (registration # CH-660-1202003-6) that coordinates the donations of goods and pro-bono services contributed by members of the World Economic Forum.

Coinciding with the Annual Meeting 2001 of the World Economic Forum, an earthquake devastated Gujarat, India. Forum members in the engineering, construction and logistics fields were ready to put their resources to work but found there was no established mechanism for getting this help to relief workers on the ground. Faced with this, Forum members recognized that as global corporate citizens, the private sector must do more than simply fund relief organizations. In their view, business should proactively participate in a multi-sector effort to prevent and mitigate the effects of disasters. In response, Forum members established the DRN – a point of contact and coordination for companies that want to provide support to disaster management efforts in developing countries.

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