The Connecting Business initiative (CBi), launched at the World Humanitarian Summit in 2016, is a private sector-driven and OCHA-UNDP-supported initiative that strategically engages the private sector in disaster preparedness, response and recovery. CBi strengthens and supports private-sector networks in their humanitarian engagement before, during and after emergencies. In 2022, the 14 CBi Member Networks had a core membership of 8,300 businesses and represented 789,000 Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSME’s) and responded to 32 crises, including tropical storms, earthquakes, and more. Their emergency preparedness, response and recovery initiatives reached almost 5.5 million people, and over US$ 7 million was mobilized through in-kind and financial contributions from the private sector. 

The initiative integrates private sector networks into local disaster management mechanisms thereby improving the effectiveness of local response and strengthening local communities. CBi networks collaborate with governments, the UN, NGOs, and international actors through regional, national and local coordination structures. 

CBi provides technical support and facilitates access to resources and tools particularly in the fields of fragile and conflict-affected areas, innovation and new technologies, MSMEs resilience, impact measurement, gender-responsive approach and climate change.