QBE Foundation calls for next-gen leadership in disaster preparedness
QBE Foundation calls for next-gen leadership in disaster preparedness | Insurance Business Australia
Catastrophe & Flood
QBE Foundation calls for next-gen leadership in disaster preparedness
Insurance giant highlights major resilience-building initiatives across Asia-Pacific
Catastrophe & Flood
By
Roxanne Libatique
The QBE Foundation has highlighted the need for greater disaster preparedness, particularly focusing on the next generation, as part of the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR).
The 2024 IDDRR theme, “Empowering the next generation for a resilient future,” emphasises the importance of educating and equipping younger people to address and withstand future disasters.
QBE Foundation’s ongoing efforts aim to reduce vulnerability and improve resilience in communities exposed to various risks, particularly climate-related disasters.
In response, QBE has prioritised climate resilience and inclusivity through collaborations with organisations such as the Red Cross and Save the Children. It is also celebrating the fifth anniversary of its Community Ready partnership, an initiative that evolved from previous collaborations with these global organizations.
Key projects across Asia-Pacific
Several of QBE’s Community Ready initiatives focus on enhancing resilience in vulnerable communities throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
These projects aim to build preparedness, particularly among children and marginalised groups, through education and support systems.
Project SECURE (Philippines)
The program, launched in early 2024, is designed to help families, especially women and children, prepare for and respond to natural disasters. Through Save the Children’s efforts, 80 households have been provided with preparedness training, family kits, and resources to implement disaster risk reduction plans.
Climate Change Matters (Hong Kong)
A child-focused initiative run by Save the Children, this project helps children understand the effects of climate change and encourages them to engage in disaster preparedness activities. It includes workshops, beach clean-up days, and educational trips aimed at fostering awareness and resilience among young people.
Young Hearts Program (Singapore)
In collaboration with the Singapore Red Cross, this program supports more than 100 children from underprivileged backgrounds, providing them with basic necessities, education, and mentorship.
The initiative works to address issues such as literacy and social support to offer these children better opportunities for the future.
Extreme Heat Response Program (Australia)
In South Australia, the Australian Red Cross runs this program to help vulnerable people cope with extreme heat during heatwaves.
The program provides daily check-ins for isolated individuals, especially the elderly, to ensure their safety during periods of high temperatures, which pose a significant risk in Australia.
Rising costs of global natural disasters
QBE highlighted its major resilience-building initiatives across Asia-Pacific amid the rising costs of natural disasters worldwide.
Over the past five years, property replacement values have grown by an average of 7.2%, driven by inflation and increased construction in key markets.
These growing losses underscore the need for enhanced disaster preparedness and community resilience. As the frequency and severity of natural disasters increase, forward-thinking initiatives remain critical to helping communities mitigate the impacts and recover more effectively from these events.
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