As the COVID-19 pandemic rages on, with more than 300 million cases confirmed worldwide (including over 5 million deaths) since January 2020, it continues to cause human suffering, reverse development gains, threaten livelihoods and intensify poverty. As the Asian Development Bank reported in December 2021, countries across Southeast Asia have experienced significant economic crises and setbacks, such as supply chain disruptions, workplace closures and lockdowns.
With support from the U.S. Department of State, through the Partnerships for Business Resilience and Recovery in Southeast Asia Project, FHI 360 and its partner AWR Lloyd are tackling second-order economic impacts of the pandemic by assisting businesses to safely resume, adapt and accelerate operations while balancing financial stability and workforce safety.
FHI 360 and AWR Lloyd have developed a COVID-19 Business Continuity Plan toolkit for Southeast Asia, based on the latest peer-reviewed evidence, available resources and case studies, and past collaborations on business continuity in Asia and the Middle East. We are tailoring this toolkit to meet sector-specific business needs and to promote resilience to future pandemics and climate change consequences. FHI 360 anticipates a 1:6 leverage of Department of State funding through corporate purchase of FHI 360 and AWR Lloyd business continuity consulting services.
Other anticipated project results include the following:
- At least six businesses continue operations, minimizing financial loss and maintaining worker and public safety.
- Business continuity planning that balances operations and employee safety becomes an industry norm.
