IBEC urges businesses to plan for natural disasters

IBEC has advised companies to review plans in light of new risks, such as a possible flu pandemic.

Pat Delaney, IBEC Director of Sectors and Regions, said: "Recent disasters, including the terrorist attack of 9/11, fuel explosions, hurricanes and floods, as well as the threat of a flu pandemic mean that all Irish businesses must review risks and take actions to minimise the consequences of a global or local disaster.

"A major natural disaster or a public health crisis, such as a flu pandemic, could lead to very high levels of absenteeism, major disruption to the supply chain and a failure to provide essential services.

"This will very quickly undermine consumer confidence. Business needs to plan for all eventualities," said Mr Delaney.

A recent report by KPMG stated that two out of five companies that experience a disaster will go out of business within five years.

Also, a recent survey of 500 UK companies, cited by the Emergency Planning Society, revealed that 53% had no disaster recovery plan.