Problem statements

The challenge 

Climate disasters are becoming more frequent and severe, from more deadly heatwaves to prolonged droughts and intensifying floods. Communities need access to trusted, timely, and locally relevant information that enables them to anticipate risks, such as extreme heat or bushfires, so they can make informed decisions, and take early action to reduce harm. 

While climate risk data exists, it is often fragmented, overly technical or locked in institutional silos. Most climate risk tools are built for systems, not for people – making it difficult for communities to interpret or apply the information in meaningful ways. This disconnect disproportionately affects those who are already marginalised or under-resourced. 

The opportunity 

This challenge is not just about access to data – it’s how to collect, translate and present risk information in ways that drive awareness and compel action.  

Australian Red Cross is uniquely placed to bridge this gap. With its trusted presence in communities, strong networks and experience in co-design, we can support the connection between local knowledge and technical data. We support the conditions for community-led solutions by building trust, enabling participation and helping shape technologies that are simple, localised and grounded in lived experience.  

Solutions must consider constraints such as digital and language literacy, data granularity, trust and ethical use.  

The challenge 

During and after a disaster, individuals and communities face overwhelming barriers in accessing the support they need. Information is fragmented. Services don’t connect. People are forced to repeat their stories to multiple providers, with no clear pathway to help. This complexity slows recovery, amplifies trauma, and disproportionately affects those already facing systemic barriers such as displacement, disability, trauma, language or digital exclusion. 

Current systems often lack the flexibility and coordination to adapt to changing needs over time. Recovery doesn’t follow a neat timeline, yet support pathways are often rigid, disconnected and confusing — especially during the critical early months when timely assistance can have the greatest impact. 

The opportunity 

There’s an opportunity to design a connected and human-centred recovery experience — one that enables people to share what help they need once, and receive timely, tailored support without delays or duplication. Technology can streamline and personalise this journey, capturing evolving needs safely and securely, and enabling smooth, coordinated referrals across the ecosystem of support providers. 

The goal is to build an entry point that simplifies access, captures needs and actively meets people where they are — during and after disasters — enabling them to move beyond crisis toward recovery with dignity and confidence. 

The challenge 

In the critical moments before, during and after a disaster, community needs shift faster than traditional systems can respond. Gaps emerge when no agency is positioned to address them, particularly in areas like psychosocial support, shelter or essential supplies.  

People want to help — and often do, informally. But spontaneous acts of support are rarely coordinated with official responses. This leads to duplication in some places and potentially dangerous gaps in others. Those already facing systemic barriers are hit hardest. 

The problem isn’t just about more resources — it’s about unlocking and coordinating the capacity that already exists in our communities. 

The opportunity 

There’s an opportunity to use technology to better connect the dots — making it easier to identify what’s needed in real time and mobilise people to respond effectively. Whether through a neighbour, a local group or a formal agency, community-led action can be faster, more trusted and more human. 

By creating platforms that connect local capacity, spontaneous volunteers and institutional responders in a coordinated, community-led response, we can bridge the gap between needs and action. This isn’t just about speed; it’s about fostering trust, dignity and human connection in disaster response.