Qantas has partnered with the Australian Red Cross to enhance the organization’s emergency response capabilities across Australia. Over the next three years, Qantas will provide multi-million dollar support to aid in the recruitment and training of 750 new volunteers, equipping them with essential first aid skills. The partnership will also support the Red Cross’s Trauma Teddy® program, which provides comfort to children during emergencies. This collaboration builds on a long history of cooperation between Qantas and the Australian Red Cross, dating back to the 1940s, and aims to improve disaster response and community support throughout Australia.

Qantas has announced a groundbreaking partnership with the Australian Red Cross, pledging multi-million dollar support over the next three years to enhance the organization’s emergency response capabilities throughout Australia. This significant collaboration aims to improve the speed and efficiency of Red Cross personnel deployment during crises, ultimately reducing costs and better serving communities in need.

Strengthening Emergency Response Efforts

The Australian Red Cross, celebrating 110 years of service, will benefit greatly from this partnership. The financial support from Qantas will facilitate the recruitment and training of 750 new volunteers, equipping them with vital skills in psychological and medical first aid. These volunteers will be ready to act swiftly and effectively when disaster strikes, ensuring that communities receive timely and competent assistance.

Moreover, Qantas is set to collaborate with the Red Cross’s Trauma Teddy® program. This initiative provides comfort to children and vulnerable individuals during emergencies by distributing up to 50,000 teddy bears annually. The partnership will help the program reach more people in distress, bringing comfort and solace to those affected by crises.

Shared Commitment to Community Support

Markus Svensson, CEO of Qantas Domestic, expressed pride in the enduring relationship between Qantas and the Australian Red Cross, noting their shared dedication to connecting and supporting Australian communities. “Our collaboration with the Red Cross allows us to leverage our resources and network to make a tangible difference in times of need,” Svensson stated.

Penny Harrison, Deputy CEO of the Australian Red Cross, highlighted the critical role of the partnership in enabling volunteers to respond more effectively to emergencies nationwide. “This partnership with Qantas will not only enhance our ability to respond quickly to disasters but also support the long-term resilience of Australian communities,” Harrison added.

A Legacy of Collaboration

The partnership between Qantas and the Australian Red Cross is not new; it is built on a rich history of collaboration dating back to the 1940s. Over the years, the two organizations have teamed up to support Australia during some of its most challenging times.

• 1949: Qantas transported six tons of rice on a DC-4 aircraft to the Philippines as part of a relief effort.
• 1950s: Qantas supported Red Cross blood donation drives by offering a flying boat flight to Fiji as a prize.
• 1963: Qantas transported supplies to East Pakistan following a devastating cyclone.
• 1958: Qantas sponsored the Red Cross ‘Bride of the Year’ competition, offering a 1,000-pound Super Constellation flight around the world as a prize to the bride who raised the most money for the Red Cross.
• 1974: During Cyclone Tracy, Qantas and the Australian Red Cross worked side-by-side to support affected communities, with Qantas setting a world record for carrying the most passengers on a Boeing 747 and the Red Cross mobilizing 2,700 volunteers.
• 2019-2020: Qantas donated to the Australian Red Cross bushfire relief fund and supported their fundraising efforts through the extensive Qantas network.
• 2022-2023: Qantas collaborated with the Red Cross to deliver Christmas presents on QantasLink aircraft to flood-affected Northern Rivers in 2022 and the bushfire-affected Western Downs region of Queensland in 2023.

Looking Ahead

The renewed partnership marks a significant step forward in the relationship between Qantas and the Australian Red Cross. By combining Qantas’s extensive network and logistical capabilities with the Red Cross’s expertise in emergency response, the two organizations are better equipped to assist Australians in times of need.

This collaboration also reflects a broader commitment by both organizations to building stronger, more resilient communities. As they look to the future, Qantas and the Australian Red Cross remain dedicated to their shared mission of providing timely, effective support to those affected by emergencies and disasters across Australia.

In an era where natural disasters and emergencies are becoming more frequent and severe, partnerships like this one are crucial. They demonstrate the power of collaboration between organizations in different sectors to make a meaningful impact on society. The support from Qantas will undoubtedly bolster the Australian Red Cross’s ability to respond to emergencies, ensuring that help is available when and where it is needed most.