Enhancing the role of the private sector in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.
Business Disaster Resilience Council
Enhancing the role of the private sector in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.
Business operations in the Pacific are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of natural disasters. With cyclones, flooding, and extreme weather events occurring with increasing frequency and intensity, disruptions to infrastructure, supply chains, employment, and service delivery pose significant risks to business continuity and economic stability in Fiji.
In response to the destructive impact of Tropical Cyclone Winston, the Business Disaster Resilience Council (BDRC) was established in 2016 to strengthen disaster resilience through private-sector leadership and collaboration.
The BDRC was formed to enhance the role of the private sector in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery, and to improve coordination between private businesses in Fiji, the National Disaster Management Office, United Nations agencies, and humanitarian and emergency response organisations.
At the Business Disaster Resilience Council (BDRC), collaboration sits at the centre of everything we do—because effective disaster resilience cannot be achieved in isolation.
We work closely with key stakeholders to strengthen disaster risk reduction, preparedness, and timely response and recovery through coordinated action across sectors.
BDRC provides a platform for private sector organisations in Fiji to address disaster-related risks, strengthen business continuity, and contribute to national resilience efforts.
We support the Government of Fiji, civil society, and development partners by integrating private-sector capacity and insights into climate resilience, disaster preparedness, and emergency response initiatives.
As the Chair of the Business Disaster Resilience Council (BDRC) since October 2021, Mr. Karunesh Rao, with a background in MCom and as Manager of Corporate Affairs & Communications at Energy Fiji Limited (EFL), leverages his expertise to bolster the council’s efforts. His diverse skill set in the corporate sector allow him to provide valuable insights and strategic direction to enhance disaster resilience within the business community. Through his leadership, the BDRC has undertaken various initiatives, fostering collaboration among businesses, government agencies, and communities. Since assuming the position, he has worked to foster collaboration among businesses, government agencies, and community stakeholders, promoting a collective approach towards disaster risk reduction and response.