Corporate Disaster Resource Network (CDRN) Launched to invite cross sector

Corporate Disaster Resource Network (CDRN)  Launched to invite cross sector partnerships for Disasters

For the first time in India, Corporates can know how specifically they can help disaster struck people with the CDRN.

November 7, 2008:  The Corporate Disaster Resource Network (CDRN) was launched by J K Sinha, Member, NDMA.  The CDRN is an initiative by Aidmatrix and Civil Society Organisations partners (CSO) who launched this at a conference on Combating Climate Change for Disaster Reduction and Sustainable Business with Climate Friendly Private Sector Initiatives” in New Delhi. Also present for the launch were Vinod Menon, Member National Disaster Management Association, Governor Scott McCallum, CEO Aidmatrix and Soumitra Ghosh, President CSO Partners.

CDRN, a logistics, administrative and financial coordination tool as part of the  National Disaster Management Authority, Corporate Task Force, is an initiative by Aidmatrix and CSO Partners that helps Corporates know, how they can help disaster struck people by providing real time information on products and services needed during emergencies.

Addressing the innaugral Vinod Menon, Member, NDMA highlighted the past learnings from the Tusnami and the recent floods of Bihar, highlight the valuable need for an information system for companies to leverage.

Addressing the delegates after the launch, J. K. Sinha said, “In the recent past there has been an increase in the frequency at which disaster has struck people all across the world. And in the absence of a system that can help in forecasting or prevent man and material loss, CDRN would help in building an effective channel through which resources could be directed during times of crisis, with the help of Public Private Partnership (PPP).”

It is common knowledge today that an increasing number of business enterprises are laying more and more emphasis on their role as a corporate citizen. And this concept gains even more significance during times of disaster, providing business houses with an opportunity to highlight supplies for local governments and also to give back to the society when it really matters through their business.

 “CDRN acts as a platform where companies are shown the specific needs and they can actually choose the manner in which they can help.  Relief agencies that are working in the disaster struck areas , through the  CDRN  update the system with real time demands that arise during times of crisis. Corporates who are willing to donate during these times can thus know how they can help by donating what is actually needed. This system was put to use during Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Gustavo that had hit the US shores recently and had worked really well and in India it can help in providing much needed help on time”, said Governor Scott James McCallum, CEO Aidmatrix.

Virinder Sharma from DFID emphasised on the climage change adaptation and disaster risk reduction over laping points where there is a need to address incentives, institutions and instruments.  He further highlighted the challenges that constrain the convergence agenda to work towards regional models and resilient communities.

CDRN can be accessed by clicking here http://cdrn.aidmatrix.org

About NDMA

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), GOI is working to build a safer and disaster resilient India by developing a holistic, pro-active, multi-disaster and technology-driven strategy for disaster management through collective efforts of all Government Agencies and Non-Governmental Organisations.

About Aidmatrix

Aidmatrix is nonprofit organisation which builds and operates powerful technology hubs that support diverse stakeholder groups in their efforts to work together to solve the world’s most challenging humanitarian crises. More than 35,000 leading corporate, nonprofit and government partners leverage our solutions to mobilize more than $1.8 billion in aid annually, worldwide. The donated goods, money and services impact the lives of more than 65 million people.

About CSO Partners

CSO Partners is a non-profit organization that is committed to mobilizing contributions -both human and financial – and providing appropriate support services for Civil Society Organizations. Through an extended base of consortium partners specialized in relevant services, CSO Partners develop appropriate program opportunities for various contributors who include government‚ corporate bodies and individuals to engage with civil society organization in a process of social change that benefits all stakeholders. It has established a support partners network in varied areas ranging from donor service‚ volunteering, social investment services‚ financial management‚ governance‚ documentation‚ advocacy and communications.