COPE - Corporate Partnership in Emergencies

COPE – Corporate Partnership in Emergencies – is an initiative aimed at facilitating contributions from the private sector to UNDP’s relief and recovery programmes in communities hit by natural disaster.

Companies increasingly recognize that corporate responsibility is not only essential for the attainment of sustainable development and poverty reduction, but is also directly related to their own corporate success. Similarly, the UN has found that in post-crises countries, where the degree of destruction can often set back development goals by years, private sector support is a major component in the recovery process. As a globally trusted UN partner with extensive experience in addressing development challenges around the world, UNDP works with businesses to make a difference on the ground.

Through COPE, UNDP enables corporations to contribute to crisis and disaster recovery efforts by committing financial resources and expertise in response to the needs of the affected communities. To date, UNDP has successfully partnered with companies such as Accenture, Armacell, Banyan Tree, Deloitte & Touche, IBM, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Rolls-Royce, and Schlumberger to help communities recover from the devastation wrought by the tsunami.

How can the private sector help?

Cash Contributions

Cash contributions are the most effective way to help the affected countries—cash can be applied directly to meet the needs of the people who require assistance.

UNDP has established partnerships with the United Nations Foundation and the United States Committee for UNDP to allow donors based in the United States to support UNDP programmes by making tax-deductible contributions. To make contributions from developing countries, please go online to the South-South Trust Fund for more specific information.

To find out more on immediate needs on the grounds in crisis countries and the straightforward procedure for cash donations, please contact cosupport@undp.org, or patrik.silborn@undp.org

In – kind Contributions

Companies can also make in-kind contributions in support of UNDP programmes in affected crisis countries. UNDP can only accept in-kind contributions that can be matched to the needs on the ground. If you wish to make an in-kind contribution, please complete the inquiry form on the In-Kind Contributions page. UNDP will promptly respond to any inquiry posted on the page.