Pandemic Risk

Outbreaks of viruses such as the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in China, the Zika virus, avian influenza A (H7N9), the novel coronavirus Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, and Ebola in West Africa bring to light an emerging threat that organisations should be prepared to address.

Unlike more regional events like hurricanes, earthquakes, or terrorist attacks, a pandemic is a global event with global implications. Pandemics underscore the critical importance of preparedness to minimise the potential for disruption.

All industries have the potential to be impacted. Hardest hit of all will be small, highly localised businesses with limited resilience, but any company with worldwide operations, global supply chains, and international customers could be significantly disrupted. Furthermore, as seen with coronavirus and influenza A, local, state, and national governments may ban travel, close schools, quarantine individuals, and/or ban public gatherings.

While managing the potential impacts may seem daunting, Marsh Risk Consulting provides organisations with tried and tested tools, processes, and procedures that can help you protect employees and reduce disruption.

Pandemic Strategies and Solutions Highlights

Based on our support of clients’ planning and response activities during the Zika, SARS, and avian flu outbreaks, our global team of specialists has the skills and experience to develop practical plans that integrate into existing business resilience and business continuity arrangements.

Pandemic planning, testing, and regular reviews of effectiveness can place your organisation in a better position to reduce the impact of, and recover more quickly from, these disruptive events. Through effective planning organisations can achieve:

Increased vigilance and protection of employee health and safety.
Improved resilience for critical processes, activities, and assets.
Strengthen incident monitoring and information management arrangements.
Protection of market share, brand value, and shareholder value.

We tailor our industry-specific approach, tools, and knowledge to your organisation, leveraging our deep expertise in risk management, HR consulting, and risk transfer solutions.

Pandemic Response Plan

We will work with you to develop a Pandemic Response Plan that: (1) integrates with existing crisis management, emergency response, and continuity plans, and (2) maps to the operational and cultural requirements of your organisation. This includes:

Validating current pandemic preparedness.
Defining or integrating plans within an existing crisis management structure.
Developing policies and processes to support pandemic response efforts.
Integrated incident response plans covering; business continuity, emergency response, supply chain, communications, and human resource impacts.
Training staff, including through exercises, to plans will work.

Rapid Pandemic Preparedness Assessment

We assist companies with a rapid review of their existing pandemic preparedness plans. Our assessments are designed to review your organisation’s current capabilities, identify gaps, and areas for improvement. This is achieved through:

Data collection and analysis.
Key stakeholder interviews.
Extended stakeholder workshop.
Wrap-up presentation and roadmap.

An assessment takes one week and begins with a review of current documentation, interviews with senior executives, and a roundtable workshop with key stakeholders (e.g. business continuity leader, supply chain manager, human resources). Our report includes a roadmap to guide the implementation of any recommendations we make.

Container ship navigating through turbulent waters

Video

Pandemic Risk

Pandemic Strategies and Solutions Highlights

Pandemic Response Plan

Rapid Pandemic Preparedness Assessment

Our expertise

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Pandemic Risk

Pandemic Strategies and Solutions Highlights

Pandemic Response Plan

Rapid Pandemic Preparedness Assessment

Our expertise

Related insights

Key strategies for European businesses navigating tariffs and greater uncertainty

Reputational risk: Customer service and risk management strategies

Risk in Context Podcast: Planning for long-term global risks while dealing with current uncertainties

Risk in Context Podcast: Enhancing supply chain visibility to navigate evolving risks

Coronavirus Resilience Fact Sheet