QBE Insurance and New Zealand Red Cross to help more Kiwis prepare for emergencies
To mark the International Day of Disaster Reduction, QBE Insurance and New Zealand Red Cross (NZRC) have today announced a formal partnership which will see QBE become the primary supporter of the New Zealand Red Cross Hazard app.
The Hazard app is an important tool in emergency preparedness, enabling users to receive official emergency warnings and alerts across different regions. It enables users to prepare for and respond to disasters, as well as keep an eye on the risks that might affect their loved ones who may be located elsewhere in the country. Preloaded preparedness content on the app means Kiwis have instant access to information, even without cell phone reception or an internet connection.
The app is free and has already been downloaded nearly 200,000 times. QBE’s support, provided through the Australia Pacific QBE Foundation, will help to maintain and improve the Hazard app.
QBE partners with Red Cross globally to support Red Cross’ work helping communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters. While QBE and NZRC have collaborated on smaller initiatives in the past, this will be the first time the two enter into an official regional agreement.
“We’re excited to be able to formalise our New Zealand partnership and further support the work being done by the QBE Foundation and Red Cross globally,” said Declan Moore, CEO and Chief Customer Officer, QBE New Zealand & Pacific.
“The Hazard app is a natural fit for us. As an insurer, we see first-hand the impact disasters can have on businesses and communities. We also see the difference being prepared can make in our customers’ ability to respond and recover.”
“Downloading the Hazard app is a simple and practical step Kiwis can take to better prepare themselves for an emergency. Through this partnership, we hope to encourage more people to get prepared with the help of NZRC and the app.”
Angela Sutherland, New Zealand Red Cross General Manager for Disaster Risk Management, says QBE’s support will allow Kiwis to continue to access this life-saving app.
“We are so grateful to QBE Insurance for coming on board to support our Hazard app. The app is needed now more than ever due to the increasing frequency, diversity and intensity of disasters we are experiencing in New Zealand. The app is a vital tool to help Kiwis receive disaster alerts and get through emergencies. QBE’s support will help us promote the app to a larger audience across Aotearoa New Zealand, who we hope will download it as part of their household’s disaster preparedness.”
QBE entered into a global disaster relief and climate resilience partnership with Red Cross in 2019, with the aim of supporting the rapid mobilisation of support for disaster relief activities in response to catastrophic events, and support disaster preparedness and climate resilience initiatives for vulnerable communities.
“We’ve seen our Red Cross partnership provide practical and very needed assistance globally, including in the Pacific recently,” said Mr Moore. “We’re thrilled to be able to continue to strengthen the partnership by working together on the Hazard app in New Zealand.”
To support uptake of the Hazard app by Kiwis, QBE is also pledging an additional $5,000 to the New Zealand Red Cross if 500 people download the app before the end of October, so more people can take steps for themselves and their families and whānau to be better prepared.
Media contacts
QBE
Emily Connell
External Communications Specialist
Phone: +61 422 907 484
Email: emily.connell@qbe.com
New Zealand Red Cross
Helen Clifton
National Communications Manager
Phone:+64 272084999
Email: media.comms@redcross.org.nz
About the Red Cross Hazard App
The app is preloaded with information about hazards including floods, earthquakes, tsunami, fire, weather and biosecurity risks. It guides users through preparing an emergency
response kit and plan, what to do during an emergency and offers step by step information to help people recover after an emergency.
About QBE Foundation
At QBE, our purpose is to give people the confidence to achieve their ambitions. As a global insurer with a footprint in 27 countries, our role in the community matters to our people, customers and stakeholders and we are uniquely placed to make a difference.
Our business centres around risk management solutions. Through the QBE Foundation, we want to improve the resilience and preparedness of our communities through long-term partnerships that will help people to help themselves, such as through education and raising awareness around risks so that people and communities are better equipped to protect themselves.
Find out more about how the QBE Foundation is creating strong, resilient, and inclusive communities.
About New Zealand Red Cross
The New Zealand Red Cross mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilising the power of humanity and enhancing community resilience.
The Red Cross Fundamental Principles guide everything that we do, whether we're helping people in communities across Aotearoa New Zealand or providing urgent relief in response to an international disaster. These seven principles unite the worldwide Red Cross Red Crescent Movement to help without discrimination those who suffer and by doing so contribute to peace in the world.