What support is available for Australian communities post-disaster?

What support is available for Australian communities post-disaster? | Insurance Business Australia

Non-Profits & Charities

What support is available for Australian communities post-disaster?

Insurer delves into non-profit organisation’s recent efforts

Non-Profits & Charities

By
Roxanne Libatique

In a recent exchange on WFI Insurance’s (WFI) “Good People to Know” podcast, WFI executive general manager Andrew Beer and GIVIT CEO Sarah Tennant delved into the charity’s pivotal role in supporting communities across regional and rural Australia following severe incidents.

WFI’s parent company, IAG, has been involved with the non-profit organisation since 2014.

The dialogue also highlighted a common challenge in the aftermath of disasters: the influx of well-meaning, but often unsuitable, donations. This issue led Juliette Wright to found GIVIT in 2009, aiming to create a more efficient system for matching donated goods with the actual needs of disaster-impacted communities.

GIVIT’s online platform was developed to facilitate this process, allowing for a direct link between donors and the specific requirements of those in need.

Efficient donation process

The system’s effectiveness was demonstrated in 2011, when GIVIT was tasked by the Queensland government to oversee the coordination of donations during significant flooding. The platform managed to attract 1.8 million visits in a brief period, successfully aligning over 33,500 items with recipients who needed them the most.

Tennant emphasised the concept of “smart giving,” through which GIVIT collaborates with local organisations to pinpoint and address the immediate needs of disaster-affected communities.

“We work with local organisations, find out what’s needed, and channel the incredible generosity from Australia to meet the immediate needs,” she said. “We make sure donations have a positive impact and do no harm on these local communities. We ask the local charities and local organisations what their communities and the people they support actually need.”

GIVIT’s mission extends beyond immediate relief, aiming to revolutionise the giving landscape in Australia by providing ongoing support and strengthening the capabilities of local charities.