QBE Presents Smile Train with $100,000 Grant

NEW YORK, Dec. 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The QBE Divisional Foundation has awarded a $100,000 grant to Smile Train to help change children's lives in countries where QBE operates.

According to QBE President and Chief Executive Officer John Rumpler, Smile Train provides services that fit well with the foundation mission. The foundation is dedicated to supporting vocational opportunities around the world through organizations that help people live more independently, successfully and productively. Smile Train provides free cleft, lip and palate surgeries to children around the world.

"These simple surgical techniques are vital to ensuring children can enter adulthood with as few challenges as possible," Rumpler said. "We are delighted our foundation grant will help make a significant impact."

Smile Train Executive Director Priscilla Ma says the foundation grant will fund surgeries for 400 children in Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Chile and Argentina, countries where QBE has a presence. "Smile Train is extremely grateful for the $100,000 grant from the QBE Foundation," Ma said. "QBE will be giving these children not only a new smile, but a new life."

Smile Train is one of 10 charities receiving grants from QBE in 2011. More than 200 charities providing services in QBE's local communities were nominated and voted on by employees in 143 offices across the country.

QBE Insurance Group Limited is one of the top 25 insurers and reinsurers worldwide. Headquartered in Sydney, Australia, QBE operates out of 49 countries around the globe, with a presence in every key insurance market. The Americas Division, headquartered in New York, conducts business through various property and casualty insurance subsidiaries in 10 countries. QBE's Americas Division produced $5.2 billion in gross written premium in 2010 and an 89.7 percent combined operating ratio. QBE Insurance companies are rated "A" (Excellent) by A.M. Best and "A+" by Standard and Poor's. For more information, visit qbe.com.

SOURCE QBE Insurance Group Limited