Corporate Disasters Emergency Committee: A foreword from The Prince of Wales

"I hope that this blueprint for corporate response will instigate an even better approach to coordinated, long-term partnerships between business and voluntary sectors.

January 2010

"I am delighted to be able to lend my support to the Corporate Disasters Emergency Committee.  Since it was started in 1963, the Disasters Emergency Committee has done an enormous amount to co-ordinate international appeals and support areas across the globe which have been affected by natural disasters and emergencies.

As President of Business in the Community, I have been hugely impressed by the significant support given by the business sector in response to these appeals.  Most companies have an advantageous position which allows them to work with international agencies, large and small, to make a difference both in immediate disaster relief and long-term recovery and reconstruction.  It is essential, therefore, that this valuable resource does not remain untapped, which is why I am so pleased that a Corporate Disasters Emergency Committee has been created.

It provides information and guidance in easily accessible form for businesses in order that they can offer truly practical, effective and appropriate help.  These pages are specifically tailored for the purpose of helping business to improve the quality of its support.  They set down fundamental guidelines and considerations which will enable companies to better coordinate their response to disasters in the future.  The pages also include relevant reference material and case studies from members of Business in the Community.

I am enormously grateful to all those who have contributed to these pages and I only hope that this blueprint for corporate response will instigate an even better approach to coordinated, long-term partnerships between business and voluntary sectors."

HRH The Prince of Wales
President, Business in the Community