NRMA Insurance boosts support for communities impacted by Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred with $500,000 Help Package
NRMA Insurance has announced a $500,000 Help Package for communities impacted by Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, boosting the insurer's ongoing resilience partnerships with GIVIT and Lifeline Australia to support immediate community needs and recovery.
The NRMA Insurance Help Package includes:
- $250,000 to help kick start GIVIT's Tropical Cyclone Alfred Appeal providing the immediate goods and services impacted communities urgently need.
- $250,000 to Lifeline Australia enabling an additional 6,400 calls to Lifeline's 13HELP dedicated natural disaster line to be answered, supporting mental health recovery.
NRMA Insurance CEO Julie Batch said: "Many people across South East Queensland and Northern NSW have felt the effects of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Many of these communities have sadly experienced multiple extreme weather events in recent years and the compounding effects on physical recovery and mental health can be substantial.
We are proud to be a long-term partner of GIVIT and Lifeline Australia and through this Help Package we will bolster our support, helping to provide immediate assistance to meet community needs.Julie Batch
NRMA Insurance CEO
Through GIVIT's innovative online donation platform, its Tropical Cyclone Alfred Appeal is providing essential goods and services to impacted communities.
The NRMA Insurance Help Package builds on the insurer's long-term support as GIVIT's Disaster and Emergency Partner. Through the partnership, NRMA Insurance enables GIVIT to continue to allocate 100 per cent of public donations made to their platform directly to communities in need.
GIVIT CEO Chris Staines said: "GIVIT is extremely grateful to NRMA Insurance for their ongoing support and contribution to our Tropical Cyclone Alfred Appeal. There are many people who have been impacted in parts of Queensland and Northern New South Wales that were still recovering from severe floods in 2022. The compounding nature of these disaster events means that this will be a long recovery for many communities."
GIVIT is here for the long haul, and we will be working with these communities for as long as it takes to help people rebuild their lives.Chris Staines
GIVIT CEO
Lifeline Australia CEO Colin Seery said climate-related events such as Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred can have a significant impact on wellbeing.
"Evidence shows that the experience of natural disasters can affect people's wellbeing in several ways, from physical symptoms like irritability and sleep disruptions, to changes in behaviour and increased stress.
"The sudden impact after disasters can cause shock and distress in communities, which is why 13HELP is so important in providing that extra layer of support throughout all the stages of recovery - from immediate impacts to the ongoing effects which events like this leave in their trail.
"Lifeline is prepared to meet any increase in contacts on our phone and digital services, so this additional support from our partner NRMA Insurance is important in ensuring we can continue to answer calls for help from impacted communities around the clock, seven days a week."
In 2024 NRMA Insurance and Lifeline Australia created online disaster resilience content as part of Lifeline's Support Toolkit, another vital resource to help Australians mentally and emotionally prepare for and recover from extreme weather events.
Ms Batch commented on NRMA Insurance's physical presence in impacted regions: "We are encouraging impacted customers to lodge their claim as soon as possible so we can provide immediate support. Our assessors and repairers have been on the ground since Saturday 8 March, progressing claims and conducting emergency repairs.
"The NRMA Insurance Help Emergency Response Vehicles are providing face to face claims support within Bunnings carparks in Robina and Oxenford in South East Queensland, and Tweed Heads in Northern NSW. Our claims teams are also providing assistance at temporary Recovery Centres in both states."
To make a donation to the GIVIT Tropical Cyclone Appeal visit: GIVIT | Tropical Cyclone Alfred | Donations Needed
NRMA Insurance CEO Julie Batch and IAG Managing Director and CEO Nick Hawkins in Robina, South East Queensland
