The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in the Maldives has identified private sector engagement (PSE) as an important aspect of strengthening preparedness and resilience. With NDMA's leadership and technical support facilitated by the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC), efforts have been made in collaboration with the Maldivian Red Crescent (MRC) to engage the business community in disaster risk management (DRM).

One notable effort is the Strengthening Preparedness and Resilience through Inclusive Community Governance in the Maldives (SPRING) program, which supported micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in developing business resilience. This included landscape analyses and consultations with stakeholders to establish a foundation for private sector participation in DRM, given its nascent stage in the Maldives.

As part of the SPRING program, an Orientation Workshop on Business Resilience was held on March 24, 2024, introducing Maldivian enterprises to key concepts and tools such as business continuity planning (BCP). The workshop facilitated partnerships between businesses, government agencies, and other stakeholders, aiming to enhance national disaster preparedness efforts.

Orientation Workshop on Business Resilience conducted in March 2024

Moreover, a Policy Dialogue on PSE in DRM, organized in Malé City on July 11, 2024, provided a platform for meaningful interaction between business networks, individual enterprises, and government agencies. The dialogue culminated in a Summary Statement outlining actionable recommendations to strengthen coordination and cooperation between disaster management entities and the private sector.

Participants of the Policy Dialogue conducted in July 2024

SPRING also spotlighted the role of business enterprises in disaster resilience through case studies. For instance, the Business Center Corporation (BCC) — the implementing arm of the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade — was featured for its efforts to foster an inclusive environment for MSMEs. Similarly, case studies on enterprises such as Inked Maldives and Lahustrations demonstrated how businesses could integrate disaster preparedness into their operations and contribute to broader resilience efforts.

Implemented from September 2022 to September 2024 with funding from USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA), the SPRING program adopted an "all-of-society approach" to DRM. By mobilizing vulnerable and marginalized groups, integrating disaster preparedness into community development, and fostering public-private collaboration, the program laid the groundwork for a more resilient Maldives. With the private sector now actively participating in disaster management, the Maldives is taking strides toward an inclusive, cooperative approach to disaster risk reduction — one that protects businesses and communities alike from future calamities.