Our short memories are one of the biggest risks in crisis management. To safe-guard against it, the world should introduce a global Crisis Preparedness Day so we don’t forget the human cost of the mega crises like COVID-19 and remember the reasons why organizations and countries should commit to preparedness with the right resources, mindsets and best practices.

A medical catastrophe at its core, COVID-19 is triggering multiple secondary disasters, from a shock to national economies to layoffs to travel bans to mental health issues. Unsurprisingly, this global mega crisis has exposed stress points in our structures of preparedness.

There should be a close relationship between Management and Boards of Directors, and that is particularly true during a crisis. Many organizations do not include, or even mention, their Board in their crisis plans. However, some are learning – often the hard way – that guidance and oversight matter the most when stakes are high.