Pakistan Chamber of Commerce

PDRF, which celebrated its tenth anniversary in 2021, continues activities responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath by mobilizing its member companies to support the national vaccination campaign, reaching out to vulnerable communities including people living with disabilities, providing meals to medical workers in COVID-19 referral hospitals, and organizing workshops on mental health.

PDRF also provided assistance to communities evacuated and affected by the eruption of Taal volcano in July 2021, distributing hygiene kits and children toys. The network engaged on issues related to the climate emergency, co-organizing the Philippine Water Challenge and collecting donations to plant trees during World Humanitarian Day.

The experience and knowledge of PDRF has also been essential in supporting programmes on business continuity. PDRF, with the support of UNDP, OCHA Philippines and CBI, has:

• Launched a digital platform called the Synergizing Recovery Initiatives, Knowledge, and Adaptation Practices (SIKAP) MSME Resilience Hub to share tools and resources on response and recovery for MSMEs;

• Created “PUHON,” termed after the Cebuano term for “hopefully, in due time”, a strategic foresight planning toolkit for MSMEs;

• Developed a training programme on business continuity for hospitals and other Government agencies;

• Conducted first responders trainings and the installation of rainwater catchments for clean water.

  
  

PDRF was actively involved in the response to Typhoon Rai (known locally as Typhoon Odette), which struck the Philippines on 16 December 2021, claiming 407 lives and displacing more than 500,000 people. Thanks to its private sector-led Emergency Operations Centre, PDRF was ready to intervene within hours. It organized operational briefings for its member companies and partners in coordination with the Government and UN representatives. The network provided 196,000 ready-to-eat meals, transported over 200 tons of goods and assisted about 70,000 families with food rations. 

Lastly, PDRF has collaborated with CBI to share their experience through three knowledge products:

• Responding to Multiple Disasters: Case Study on the PDRF Emergency Operations Center and Response to Super Typhoon Goni and Vamco during the COVID-19 Pandemic;
• Guidance on Emergency Response Planning: Lessons from the PDRF Experience;
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  Integrating Conflict Sensitivity in Private Sector Disaster Management: Lessons from the PDRF.

  
  

   

  
  

Cover photo: PDRF