UNDPR develops planning toolkit for SMEs

The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), with the support of the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC), developed a planning toolkit for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to revive their business operation to the new environment.

Bangladesh is currently witnessing significant economic shocks due to novel coronavirus . Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are the most vulnerable group in this critical situation because of their low shock-absorbing capacity. To revive their businesses, SMEs have to redesign their business operations to adapt to the new environment, said a press release.

With the assistance of the Business Initiative Leading Development (BUILD), this toolkit has now been adapted for Bangladesh.

The toolkit includes a planning tool organized around ‘10 tips’ to make businesses resilient, a brief guide for impacted businesses with an ‘additional 5 tips,’ and an awareness-raising brochure summarizing the ’10 tips’ and the ‘5 additional tips’.

This toolkit will support SMEs to protect their employees and their work environment.

Moreover, this toolkit demonstrates the process of how an SME can continue its   operations during this crisis using their existing resources and to help protect SMEs from further disruptions.

In addition, the toolkit includes guidance for businesses which are already affected by COVID-19.

The toolkit is available at the following link: http://www.undrr.org/bcp-ap

For the convenience of Bangladeshi SMEs, a Bangla version of this toolkit is also available.

The BUILD network is actively supporting the SMEs in Bangladesh. It is also collaborating with the UNDRR the ARISE Network – the Private Sector Alliance for Disaster Resilient Societies with the intention to launch a national network in Bangladesh.

(Source: UNB)