The Sendai Framework and business continuity

The Sendai Framework calls for disaster-risk reduction and business continuity to be built into business practice, especially for MSMEs. Reseated’s resilience reports show how disruption reaches small firms—and why continuity support must include timely claims decisions, bridge funding and practical planning.

What happened

UNDRR’s work on small-business resilience sets out how the Sendai Framework’s disaster-risk reduction priorities apply to MSMEs and highlights evidence on the value of preparedness.

The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030 identifies business continuity as part of business practice, with particular attention to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.
UNDRR reports that SMEs bear about 75% of business disaster losses, and that disaster-risk reduction can reduce losses by up to a third.
A Japan survey cited in UNDRR’s SME resilience report found that 8% of prepared SMEs had not recovered sales, compared with 19% of unprepared SMEs.

What it means for small businesses

Disaster readiness is not only an emergency-service or government responsibility: continuity planning and support for small firms are part of reducing wider disaster losses.

Preparedness is associated with better recovery outcomes in the cited Japan survey, but it cannot guarantee that an individual business will avoid losses.

Owners need practical plans and accessible financial support; Reseated’s proposed standards set out specific timelines for claims decisions and bridge funding.