A number of equipment suppliers have joined with Dutch government agencies to form Infra Capacity Alliance (ICA), a disaster support network similar to (but broader than) ALAN in the United States.

Foundation members include aerial access supplier Riwal.

According to an Alliance statement, the initiative aims to ensure that the Netherlands is better prepared for crises and major disasters such as floods or earthquakes and can deal with an influx of refugees. 

“Within ICA, various civil companies and government organisations are joining forces to initially have a guaranteed yet flexible availability of materials that are immediately needed in such scenarios,” the statement continues, promising that the collaboration will result in faster reactions to disasters.

“The world is changing rapidly due to climate change, geopolitical shifts and wars. Social problems are becoming increasingly complex and often have no clear owners. Solving this problem, therefore, requires cross-sectoral and chain-transcending collaborations, in which partners collaborate, innovate and co-create. 

“Within ICA, civil companies and government organisations work closely together as partners with the aim of acting more efficiently and is scalable in times of crisis.”

The combined resources and knowledge within the Infra Capacity Alliance are considerable, but ICA is keen to expand its network and has already already begun targeting regional authorities, local governments, NGOs and other civil organisations.