Marine Exploration Joins UN Disaster Risk Reduction Private Sector Partnership

CORAL GABLES, Fla., Jan. 14, 2013

UNISDR is the UN's focal point for the coordination of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) and the harmonization of activities among stakeholders. The Strategy brings governments, organizations, universities, institutions, corporations and individuals together to reduce economic losses as well as the number of those who lose their lives to or are injured by disasters.

The goal of disaster risk reduction (DRR) is to reduce the impact of events such as earthquakes, floods, droughts and cyclones through prevention. Reducing exposure to natural hazards, lessening the vulnerability of people and property, wise management of land and the environment, as well as improving preparedness for adverse events, are all examples of disaster risk reduction and the building of disaster resilience. Both are integral parts of global sustainable development approaches.

MEXP has a subsidiary partnership with Atmospheric Water Solutions, Inc. (AWS).  AWS is the patent holder of atmospheric water technology, which manufactures pure water from the air. The company offers machines that can produce from two to 30,000 gallons of pure water a day.  AWS machines are sold through retail distributors and directly into commercial and government solutions. 

Howard Ullman, CEO of AWS, said, "The mission of Atmospheric Water Solutions, Inc. is to provide sustainable access to clean water.  Our mission is consistent with UNISDR's objectives.  Simply stated, sustainable solutions are good for business and the community.  We are pleased to be included in UNISDR's Disaster Risk Reduction Private Sector Partnership (DRR-PSP) Working Group.

"The private [business] sector is the perfect advocate for resilient thinking because of its direct relationship with customers, suppliers and everyone in between," said Margareta Wahlstrom, who heads UNISDR and is the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for Disaster Risk Reduction.

UNISDR created the DRR-PSP Working Group to increasingly involve the private sector in disaster risk reduction by mobilizing resources. The DRR-PSP establishes the foundation for building disaster risk reduction through private sector partnerships. Investing in disaster risk reduction offers a triple return by ensuring business continuity, safeguarding long-term investments, and protecting employees, their families, communities and environments.