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BUSINESS ENGAGEMENT GUIDEPrepared by: United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

HOW CAN BUSINESSES HELP?Businesses are a major contributor to humanitarian action. By preparing for and responding to emergencies, businesses increase staff engagement and satisfaction, contribute to community resilience, prosperity and sustainable development, and build relationships with their communities. Both local businesses and multinational companies can support humanitarian efforts by making a financial contribution or in-kind donation, providing assets or services on a pro bono basis, publically supporting humanitarian appeals and / or engaging in advocacy and solution-finding.

CONSOLIDATED HUMANITARIAN APPEALThe 2015 consolidated humanitarian appeal requested US$16.4 billion to meet the needs of 57.5 million people in 22 countries. The appeal was updated and expanded in mid-2015, to include an additional 15 countries and another 21.4 million people, requesting $18.8 billion.

In 2016, humanitarian partners will require $20.1 billion to respond to the needs of 87.6 million people across 37 countries. This estimate of 2016 requirements is subject to change with the finalization of humanitarian response plans (HRPs) still underway in some countries.

The humanitarian requirements of Ethiopia and the Yemen regional refugee response plan have been included in the consolidated appeal for the first time. As compared with the June 2015 update of the global appeal, requirements for 17 of the appeals have slightly decreased. In contrast, requirements for 11 of the appeals have increased, including: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Haiti, Iraq, Libya, Nigeria, Syria and Yemen. Requirements for Guatemala and Honduras have almost tripled due to the adverse effects of the El Niño pattern on the populations of these countries. Haiti is also facing multiple risks, including the effects of El Niño.

YEMEN*UKRAINE

SYRIA 3RP2SYRIASENEGAL*1

NIGERIA RRPMYANMAR*HONDURAS

HAITI*GUATEMALACAR*

2016 REQUIREMENTS

$560 M $55.7 M $133.8 M

$45.9 M $190 M $198.8 M

$24.8 M $3.2 B $4.8 B

$298 M $1.6 B

* Estimates as of 30 November 2015.1 Includes $4.9 million Sahel regional requirements.2 Includes Lebanon government requirements.

Note: These selections were made based on geographic balance, private sector interest and a mix of high profile and underfunded emergencies.

Refer to the Global Humanitarian Overview 2016 for full details of these and other appeals.

$20.1 BILLIONrequired to respond to the needs of 87.6 million people across 37 countries.

BY MAKING A FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONRelief specialists consider financial contributions to reputable aid agencies as the most valuable and effective form of response in humanitarian emergencies. Businesses can make financial contributions to the Central Emergency Response Fund and to Country-Based Pooled Funds. Businesses can also promote philanthropy amongst their staff, clients and networks.

Donate to the Central Emergency Response FundThe Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) is one of the fastest and most effective ways to support rapid humanitarian response. CERF provides immediate funding for life-saving humanitarian action at the onset of emergencies and for crises that have not attracted sufficient funding. Contributions are received year-round, mainly from governments, but also from private companies, foundations, charities and individuals. Visit www.unocha.org/cerf/donate to donate or contact pss@un.org for further information.

Donate to Country-Based Pooled Funds (CBPFs)Country-based pooled funds (CBPFs) are innovative humanitarian financing instruments that allow governments and private donors alike to pool their contributions to support a specific emergency. They provide rapid funding to scale up humanitarian operations, fill critical gaps, and strengthen partnerships with aid organizations, including local and international NGOs. Visit www.unfoundation.org/how-to-help/donate/support-unherf.html to donate or contact pss@un.org for further information.

WITH IN-KIND DONATION OF PRIORITY MATERIALS

The UN Secretary-General encourages companies to coordinate their response efforts with the United Nations in order to ensure coherence with priorities and to minimize gaps and duplications. To make an in-kind donation of goods or services visit www.business.un.org or write to pss@un.org with specific infor-mation about the contribution, including the time-frame for delivery and any conditions. Contributions must comply with the Guidelines on Cooperation between the UN and the Business Sector.

THROUGH DIRECT ASSET OR SERVICE PROVISION

The United Nations enters into pro-bono agreements with companies who will provide direct asset or service provision during emergencies. Partnerships work best if established before a disaster occurs. Contact pss@un.org to discuss the ways in which your company might partner with the UN. Partnerships must comply with the Guidelines on Cooperation between the UN and the Business Sector.

REPORT YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS

The United Nations manages the Financial Tracking Service (FTS) which records all humanitarian contributions, including cash donations and the value of in-kind support. It aims to give due credit and visibility to donors for their generosity, and also to show the running total of current funding and remaining resource gaps. Please report your contributions to fts@un.org, copying pss@un.org, or complete the on-line form at fts.unocha.org. For real time updates on funding to meet the requirements see fts.unocha.org.

How can you engage?Visit : www.unocha.org/themes/partnerships-private-sector

PUBLIC SUPPORT, JOINT ADVOCACY AND SOLUTION-FINDING

Businesses can: • support employees, families and communities affected by disasters and conflict; • prepare for and respond to disasters and conflict; and• partner with the United Nations to undertake joint advocacy and work together to identify and share innovative

solutions.

Contact pss@un.org or visit www.unocha.org/themes/partnerships-private-sector for further information.