The Private Sector includes businesses, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), educational institutions, faith-based groups, and civic groups. In large-scale disasters such as Hurricane Katrina, the federal, state and local government resources are often overextended, and in some countries, non-existent. The combined resources of the private sector, however, are often overlooked. Humanitarian International Services Group are the subject matter experts in connecting private sector resources and capabilities to disaster relief efforts. HISG is networked to thousands of private sector organizations, and is uniquely positioned to mobilize those resources should the need arise.

HISG CEO Kay Hiramine has been featured on DenverPost.com and received an award from President Bush for volunteerism. HISG’s guidance in private sector mobilization has also been commended by Dubai’s GulfNews.com, U.S. Agency for International Development, Strategy-Business.com, and official government reports to the U.S. Senate.

Sustainable community development is required to break the downward spiral of poverty and instability. Sustainability requires local ownership and should address needs across all impacted sectors (i.e. safety, education, clean water, economic opportunity and access to healthcare) of society simultaneously. HISG works with a wide range of implementing partners and local connections to integrate these different impacted sectors into development initiatives and maximize impact. Crisis is a cyclical occurrence in any development initiative. Integrating disaster preparedness into community development minimizes the impact of cyclic disasters and supports a more rapid recovery.

Disaster relief provides the opportunity to enter the development cycle in areas where HISG has not previously operated. From the start, relief operations are carried out with a focus on long-term community development. HISG engages local ownership and conducts relief operations that support a rapid transition to development initiatives.

HISG is unique because we mobilize and manage resources from the entire private sector, we manage a 24/7 Global Operations Center, and holistic development efforts that integrate a broad spectrum of partnering organizations.

HISG resource mobilization and management activities encompass all the branches of the private sector mentioned above. This full spectrum of resource providers enables HISG to effectively respond to a more comprehensive range of needs. Our efficient use of resources and vast networks have enabled HISG to move millions of dollars in humanitarian aid and operate at under 10% administrative costs.

HISG now has the first-of-its-kind 24/7 Global Operations Center (GOC), near Dallas, Texas. In a disaster response situation, the GOC receives information from our local Project Coordinators, our partnering organizations from all across the private sector, government entities, and the United Nations. This massive data flow allows HISG to build constantly updated pictures of specific needs and capabilities, ensuring that resources are put to use exactly when and where they can do the most good.

HISG development efforts are unique in that we focus on a holistic approach to sustainable development. This holistic approach addresses correlating societal segments simultaneously to strengthen our long-term development efforts. A holistic approach improves effectiveness and takes advantage of opportunities for connected development sectors to work together.

HISG is active in more than 70 different countries spread across five continents. We typically help out in regions where there is the most need and/or where there is not much other humanitarian aid. For example, HISG was in Afghanistan helping displaced people during and immediately following the war, in Beirut the day after the cease fire to setup a trauma counseling initiative, in Indonesia just eight days after the 2004 Asian Tsunami, and is now helping those caught in the conflict in Darfur, Sudan.

In order for real, lasting change to take place, local people must have ownership. People only commit to what they help create. Since 2001 HISG has partnered with local organizations in large-scale disaster relief, trauma counseling, re-building homes, medical clinics, trade skills training, micro-enterprise funding, education projects, clean water projects, AIDS awareness and education, orphanages, elder care facilities, a fair trade movement, and a warehouse that ships containers full of food, clothing, and supplies to needy people all over the world.

One of the factors that makes HISG so effective is our networks. If your business, NGO, charity, faith-based group, educational institution, or civic group would like to partner with HISG in helping the most vulnerable people in the most oppressed areas of the world, please contact us. You can also make a tax-free donation to HISG online. Thank you for your concern and compassion for those less fortunate.