A review study of the role of the corporate sector in disaster management

Abstract

The paper seeks to explore the level of involvement of the corporate sector in disaster management. This is against a background of increasing disaster risk in the developing world where 90% of the total disasters and 95% of the total disaster related deaths is recorded (Allardce 2009). In the past in most countries round the globe it was the government through its various arms that played a major role in disaster relief and rehabilitation. As the concept of disaster management gradually took root, encompassing not merely disaster relief and rehabilitation, but also preparedness and mitigation, the need to involve the community at large was also realized. Thus the ever expanding extend and scale of natural disasters have made it imperative for the corporate sector to initiate and integrate disaster risk prevention and mitigation measures in the various facets of their functions and operations with the objective of safeguarding the built environment, protecting investments and ensuring the sustainability of communities. With corporate entities investing in disaster prone regions in Africa it is also important to observe that the companies thrive on the health, stability and prosperity of communities in which they operate. Therefore, it becomes imperative for the corporate sector to initiate disaster risk management programmes in their operations as part of their CSR initiatives. The purpose of this paper is to explore and justify the role of the corporate sector in disaster management doth as a measure of safeguarding their investments against disaster risk and as part of corporate social responsibility.