A website has been set up to help non-governmental organizations in Asia obtain corporate help for disaster relief efforts.
The Corporate Disaster Resource Network (CDRN was introduced in November as a joint project by India’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) a private company, Aidmatrix, and the non-profit organization CSO. The website shows corporates how they can assist disaster-struck people by providing real-time information on the products and services needed.
Aidmatrix, which builds and operates technology hubs to support stakeholder groups, developed a prototype of the website in August 2008 during the Bihar floods in India. It also united the US Federal Emergency Agency to aid victims of hurricanes Katrina and Gustavo. Now the prototype is being used by 64 NGOs and many corporates in India.
Kuldeep Nar, managing director of Aidmatrix India, said: ‘The need for tools such as CDRN is evolving. It provides a central platform for the supply chain. Each NGO is given a unique login ID and password. All they need is internet connectivity.
‘We have seen potential donors come online and check the needs. Large steel companies from India have donated steel sheets for temporary shelters. Since there are no brokers involved, the companies can directly interact with the NGOs, and decide whom to work with and in what capacity.’
Nar said the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Chartered Insurance Institute had expressed keen interest in the project.
He said: ‘We will now approach different federations, individual companies, state governments and other stakeholders for partnerships.’ He believed that, as well as encouraging CSR, the partnership would give the companies exposure in new areas and enable sustainable development through direct communication with communities.