The initiative aims to assist vulnerable communities in preparing for future extreme weather events by combining local knowledge and DRA's disaster management capability.
DRA will hold all-day events to explore fire and flood threats, challenges, and risks to communities. During the events, residents will see their community profiled on a giant floor map, named “Big Map”, prepared using DRA's mapping and drone technology. They will then outline areas at risk of flooding and fire and identify how they can build resilience.
Allianz will fund training sessions for new DRA volunteers, enabling the non-profit organisation to keep up with demand. It will also co-host four events in disaster-prone areas.
Additionally, the Allianz Disaster Recovery Team will attend the sessions to provide general advice on insurance, including factors to consider when pushing an insurance policy, basic explanations of key terminology, and what to expect from insurers in the aftermath of a fire or flood.
“As natural disasters continue to occur more frequently and on a larger scale, it's important that we support communities to come together to better understand the local environment and to identify ways to mitigate and reduce disaster risk,” said Sema Whittle, general manager for corporate governance and sustainability at Allianz Australia. “Disaster Relief Australia's work is crucial in helping at-risk communities prepare for extreme weather events.”
DRA national resilience manager Adam Moss emphasised that effective flood management, mitigation, and preparedness can build resilience as Australia faces more frequent and extreme weather events.
“If governments, individuals, businesses, and industry increase their awareness and readiness for a flood event while supporting the native plants and animals that rely on our river systems, we can reduce property damage, economic loss, and disruption to assets and services,” Moss said. “Insurers have a pivotal role to play in assisting communities to mitigate the impact of natural disasters, and delivering our sessions in partnership with Allianz will provide even greater value to the community.”
The first co-hosted Big Map event will be held from 9am to 3pm on July 28 (Friday) in Kempsey. It will be followed by four events in 2023 and 2024.
Earlier this year, Allianz released its direct home and landlord insurance across northern Queensland and Western Australia to protect people living in high cyclone risk areas.
