Better safe than sorry: RBC donation helps Red Cross provide
personal disaster assistanceRBC Poll finds only half of Canadians prepared for an emergency
MISSISSAUGA, ON, July 30, 2008 — Canadians are
not prepared for unexpected emergencies, according to a 2008
survey by RBC Insurance/Ipsos Reid. To help heighten awareness
of the need for emergency preparedness among Canadians, RBC
Foundation has donated $600,000 to the Canadian Red Cross
(CRC) to be a founding partner of the Red Cross Personal Disaster
Assistance (PDA) plan.
"We are very proud to work with the Canadian Red Cross
as a founding partner of the PDA plan to enhance disaster
relief efforts to Canadians," said Neil Skelding, president
and CEO, RBC Insurance. "RBC's assistance will go directly
to provide humanitarian relief to Canadians affected by disasters,
ranging from local emergencies to large-scale disasters. It
will also support the essential services of Red Cross PDA
volunteers by providing effective training and resources to
help them assist victims of disasters."
According to the RBC survey, only one-half of Canadians are
as prepared as they should be for various types of emergencies.
In fact, only 47 per cent have an emergency supply kit for
their home that includes first aid supplies, food, water,
a flashlight and batteries. Just half (50 per cent) have an
emergency supply kit for their car that includes first aid
supplies, blankets or extra clothing.
PDA volunteers, who are specially trained and on-call 24
hours, seven days a week, provide comfort, support and depending
on the circumstances, essential services and supplies such
as shelter, clothing, comfort kits and blankets to Canadians
who have been affected by disasters or emergencies. PDA is
there to ensure that people affected by disaster have their
basic needs met while they get re-established and contact
family members, their insurance company or government social
services.
"Whether it's helping set up emergency medical treatment
abroad or assisting with a claim after an automobile accident
or house fire, RBC understands the importance of being there
to help people get re-established after an emergency,"
said Don Shropshire, National Director, Disaster Management,
Canadian Red Cross. "With their support, we can ensure
that our PDA volunteers receive the best training and resources
to help Canadians when they need it most."
About RBC Insurance
RBC Insurance, the largest Canadian bank owned insurance group
of companies, through its legal operating entities, RBC General
Insurance Company, provides a wide range of life, health,
travel, home, auto and reinsurance products as well as creditor
insurance services to more than five million North American
customers. Its fast growing home and auto insurance business
offers Canadians a comprehensive range of personal home and
auto insurance products through direct sales channels, including
over the phone, the Internet and retail insurance branches,
as well as through group insurance plans. RBC Insurance also
offers a premier claims service, available 24/7 to help clients
when they need it most. For more information, please visit
www.rbcinsurance.com.
About the Canadian Red Cross
The Canadian Red Cross is a member of the International Red
Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which includes the International
Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International
Committee of the Red Cross and 186 national Red Cross and
Red Crescent Societies. Our mission is to improve the lives
of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity in
Canada and around the world.
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Media Contacts:
RBC Insurance
Kerry Gaetano, (905) 816-5583, kerry.gaetano@rbc.com
Margie McNeil, (905) 606-1425, margie.mcneil@rbc.com
Canadian Red Cross
Heather Badenoch, (613) 740-1928, heather.badenoch@redcross.ca
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