Tech & Community: Disaster Relief Redefined
Disasters can strike at any moment, affecting lives, communities, and economies. Whether it's natural disasters like earthquakes, hurricanes, or political turmoil, being aware of these risks and having a plan in place is essential.
Disasters often bring about not only physical but also economic and social hardships. Vulnerable communities and marginalized individuals are disproportionately impacted, making it crucial for businesses like ours to step up and play their part in disaster relief efforts that can help small businesses get back on their feet.
The Glovo Approach
In the aftermath of natural disasters, it's sobering to realize that nearly 40% of small businesses struggle to reopen. With 90% of our partners being small businesses, we understand the importance of supporting our Partners and their local communities during tough times and aim to reduce the amount of economic suffering on local partners.
To address this, we introduced the Crisis Relief Support initiative, funded by our Impact Fund. This program provides essential financial assistance to small businesses affected by natural disasters or political conflicts. Its purpose is straightforward: to offer prompt aid during emergencies in Glovo’s 25 countries and provide ongoing support to businesses facing crises, including those caused by natural disasters, political conflicts, and global issues like the COVID-19 pandemic.
As a part of a multi-pronged approach, our tech teams are also able to enable in-app features in real time that allow users to make direct donations to local NGOs assisting with relief efforts and remove delivery fees to ensure that users in affected areas have access to emergency supplies. This system ensures that partners and users receive the urgent help they need, while also allowing our community to contribute to relief efforts within the areas we serve.
Earthquake in Morocco
In the aftermath of the devastating 6.8 magnitude earthquake that struck in Marrakech, Morocco on the evening of September 8th, 2023, our teams wasted no time ralling to provide immediate support and relief to the victims and our partners alike.
Within 24 hours, we were able to raise over €200,000 in generous donations via our app for local NGOs. Just days later, we were able to widen our impact, giving users in certain cities Spain, Portugal, Bosnia, and Italy the opportunity to donate to local NGOs aiding in the aftermath of the quake. Delivery fees were also removed in Marrakech, Agadir and Safi, to facilitate access to essential goods for those in affected areas.
Here's how Glovo's in-app donation bubble works:
Visibility: The donation bubble appears prominently within the app when users place orders, providing a convenient and non-intrusive way for customers to contribute to disaster relief efforts.
Choice: Users can choose the amount they wish to donate, ranging from small to large contributions, ensuring that everyone can participate and make a difference.
Transparency: Glovo ensures transparency in the donation process by sharing information about where the funds are going and how they are being utilized to support disaster-affected communities.
Crisis Relief Support
In addition to fundraising efforts, we were able to activate our Crisis Relief Support measures, reaching out to affected partners and encouraging them to apply for financial assistance that would mitigate the effects of the damage caused by the earthquake.
The Crisis Relief Fund offers several benefits to our partners:
Financial Assistance: Partners facing financial hardships due to disaster-related disruptions can apply for support from the Crisis Relief Fund. This assistance helps them cover essential expenses during difficult times.
Stability: Knowing that there is a safety net in place provides partners with a sense of stability and security, allowing them to focus on their well-being and recovery.
Community Support: Our commitment to supporting our partners reinforces a sense of community and solidarity, fostering stronger relationships between us and the communities we serve.
Aiding those in need
As we reflect on our response to the earthquake in Morocco, we're reminded that disasters know no borders. Our disaster mitigation plan has been activated in various Glovo countries so far in 2023, providing support in the aftermath of flooding in Slovenia and Italy and offering ongoing support in Ukraine since the start of the war.
Looking ahead, we remain steadfast in our commitment to building resilience and supporting communities worldwide.