Each year, the global humanitarian community gathers at the Humanitarian Networks and Partnerships Weeks (HNPW) in Geneva to exchange ideas, strengthen collaboration, and advance solutions that improve disaster response worldwide. Among the many discussions taking place this year, one theme stands out clearly: no single sector can tackle today’s challenges alone.
As disasters grow more complex and demands on humanitarian systems increase, stronger collaboration between the private sector, governments, and humanitarian organizations is essential. Businesses bring logistics expertise, technology, financing, and operational capacity that can significantly improve how the world prepares for and responds to disasters.
The Role of the Private Sector in Humanitarian Response
To strengthen these partnerships, the Private Sector Welcome and Networking Breakfast at HNPW brings together leaders from across sectors to exchange ideas and identify practical opportunities for collaboration.
Convened by OCHA’s Private Sector Unit and the OCHA–UNDP Connecting Business Initiative (CBI), the session provides a space for humanitarian actors and businesses to connect directly, explore innovative partnerships, and discuss how private-sector capabilities can support faster, more effective disaster response.
From supply chains and logistics to engineering expertise and technology solutions, these partnerships help ensure that communities affected by disasters receive the support they need quickly and efficiently.
Advancing Needs and Damage Assessment
As part of the event, Dr. H. Kit Miyamoto, CEO of Miyamoto International, and Dr. Giulia Joe Sechi, Associate, will host Networking Station 4: Needs and Damage Assessment.
Rapid and accurate damage assessments are critical in the early stages of disaster response. They guide decision-making, help governments and humanitarian organizations allocate resources effectively, and support faster recovery efforts for affected communities.
With decades of experience leading post-disaster recovery and reconstruction efforts around the world, Dr. Miyamoto and Dr. Jole Sechi will share insights from global disaster response operations and discuss how improved assessment methods and partnerships can strengthen recovery outcomes.
Connecting Business for Disaster Response
The event is organized by the Connecting Business Initiative (CBI), jointly managed by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The initiative works with local business networks around the world to support disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.
Through partnerships with chambers of commerce, business associations, and private foundations, CBI helps ensure that businesses can work alongside governments, humanitarian organizations, and communities to deliver effective disaster response and support resilient recovery.
Building the Partnerships That Matter
Events like the Private Sector Networking Breakfast demonstrate the growing recognition that collaboration across sectors is key to effective humanitarian action. By bringing together experts from engineering, logistics, finance, and humanitarian operations, HNPW continues to foster the partnerships needed to respond to disasters more effectively.
At Miyamoto International, we believe that combining technical expertise with strong partnerships can accelerate recovery and help communities rebuild safer and stronger after disasters.
Because stronger partnerships lead to stronger response and, ultimately, stronger communities.
