UN, BCCI launch disaster planning toolkit for small businesses

Local small businesses are receiving critical support to improve their disaster preparedness through a new Business Continuity Planning (BCP) Toolkit launched on Tuesday.

The initiative, a joint effort between the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), is designed to help micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) assess risks, develop continuity plans, and better respond to disruptions.

The toolkit was developed based on a landscaping survey carried out in Bridgetown, which revealed significant gaps in MSME preparedness, including limited access to financing, risk awareness, and emergency planning.

Speaking at the opening of a two-day workshop at UN House, BCCI President Paul Innis said the project was launched to embed resilience directly into the operations of the businesses that drive the national economy.

“Today’s workshop is not just a response to disruption; it is a declaration of intent,” he said. “We are here to equip, to enable, and to embed resilience… in the everyday operations of MSMEs that form the bedrock of our economy.”

Participants will receive tools and guidance to create continuity plans and connect with the national early warning system. (SM)