Should the private sector play a role in emergency preparedness and humanitarian response?
Elaine Weidman-Grunewald, Ericsson’s vice president of sustainability and corporate responsibility, said leveraging the private sector is the only way we can hope to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals — and that private sector companies have much more to offer than just philanthropy.
Speaking with Devex Partnerships Editor Richard Jones last week at the World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul, Turkey, following the launch of Ericsson’s “Emergency Wallet” — a mobile financial services solution for disaster-affected populations and aid workers operating in crisis situations — Weidman-Grunewald gave her thoughts on the need to find sustainable business models to ensure long-term solutions to some of the world’s biggest challenges.
Following the World Humanitarian Summit, Devex — along with its partners Deloitte, Ericsson, United Nations Development Programme, and United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs — have come together for #ShareHumanity. This six-week online conversation explores the role the private sector plays in humanitarian relief efforts, preparedness and response, both now and in the future.
Use #ShareHumanity and tag @devex to have your say.
About the author
Naomi Mihara
Naomi Mihara is an Associate Editor for Devex, working on creative and audiovisual projects. She has a background in journalism and international development, having previously served as an assistant correspondent for Japanese newspaper The Yomiuri Shimbun and as a communications officer for the International Organization for Migration in Southeast Asia. She holds a master’s degree in Multimedia Journalism from Bournemouth University.
