Our thinking

Post-disaster recovery support

30 May, 2025

When disaster strikes, we want to help. Offers of food, shelter, and equipment flood to those tasked with the recovery effort. This generosity can be overwhelming and often what is needed is not what is offered. Co-ordinated responses tend to be ad hoc and analogue, meaning first responders spend time and resources trying to source what is needed.   

As climate change increases the likelihood of natural disasters, we need better options. Enter a new initiative called Unity, bringing together central government, local authorities, emergency responders, businesses, and communities to prepare for, respond to and recover from major disasters and emergencies, protecting business continuity and strengthening national resilience. 

Unity is a new digital platform that reduces the impact of floods, fires, storms, terrorist attacks, cyber-attacks, and pandemics, saving lives, protecting assets, mitigating risks and helping the country recover faster. Agencies, first responders and voluntary organisations can source equipment, services, and other support that they need, quickly and efficiently with full visibility of what is available.  

Participating businesses share information about the materials, items, and services they can offer in the event of an emergency, from food, clothing, transport and logistics support to chainsaws and horse boxes (both unexpectedly important in the aftermath of storms and flooding). Unity brings businesses and community organisations into live response for the first time in a more scalable and effective way, allowing them to provide direct support to emergency responders within minutes and within the current command and control structures. 

Unity is the product of a partnership between our friends at  Secret HQ, a purpose-led digital strategy and innovation business and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority on a pilot on behalf of the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government. The prototype has been funded centrally by MHCLG and following on from successfully testing the platform with emergency responders and support organisations, such as the British Red Cross and Islamic Relief, the Unity team are now looking to work with more businesses and community partners, with an ambition to roll out nationally following successful pilots. 

 It’s a simple and elegant solution to the question of how to improve resilience in the aftermath of disasters, and addresses both the natural desire to help and ensures that communities get back on their feet quicker, with less disruption. A true win-win for businesses and people. If you would be interested in learning more about Unity, and how to get involved, get in touch with us and we’ll be delighted to connect you. 

By Claire Jost