As Australians we are familiar with natural disasters. Droughts, floods and bushfires have impacted our land since the beginning of time. We know to expect them, but it has never become any easier to deal with.
Today, thousands of people up and down the coast are trying to come to terms with the cost of the latest floods: the cost of clean-up, of lost and damaged possessions and the mental cost of it all.
Here’s what you can do to help.
Donate specific items to GIVIT
Former RFS commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons, who now heads up Resilience NSW, recommends non-for profit GIVIT. GIVIT has an official partnership with the NSW government and works alongside charities to assess and advise what critical and immediate material support is needed.
The GIVIT website shows an extensive list of items the communities are in need of.
People are urged to only donate items that are requested by flood-affected communities and the GIVIT website has a very specific list of requirements. You can choose to donate grocery or fuel vouchers for certain communities or specific items such as nappies.
“One of the key things we ask is that people don’t take unrequested items into storm and flood-impacted areas. We need to ensure local charities and recovery organisations aren’t inundated with donations they don’t need,” Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott said.
Donations can be made here: https://www.givit.org.au/severe-storms-and-flooding
Donate to the Red Cross NSW Flood Appeal
The Australian Red Cross are currently assisting residents in 13 flood-affected communities and have launched an appeal for funds.
Red Cross volunteers and staff have been providing psychological first aid and support to thousands of people since the start of the disaster.
“We’re committed to helping those affected by this disaster, whether that be through recovery programs, psychological first aid or by reuniting them with loved ones through Register.Find.Reunite,” Red Cross NSW Director Poppy Brown said.
Donations can be made here: https://www.redcross.org.au/campaigns/2021-nsw-floods-appeal
Donate to Foodbank
Foodbank is working closely with Resilience NSW to aid flood affected areas. In a statement the charity says, “Right now the best way you can help us get food and water to those in flood areas is by making a financial donation.
We will be urgently packing our crisis hampers and getting them to the front line as quickly as we can, and financial donations means we can source food to make these. For every $1 donated we can provide $6 worth of food.”
Donations can be made here: https://foodbank.raisely.com/helpnswfloodvictims
Donate to Rural Aid
Rural Aid is appealing for donations to help farmers impacted by the flooding emergency with some farmers having watched their homes and livelihoods go underwater before their eyes. Livestock has perished, paddocks have been flooded and hay storages ruined.
“Our farmers have had everything thrown at them in recent times; drought, fire, a pandemic, plagues (mice and locusts) and now floods,” Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said.
Donations can be made here: https://www.ruralaid.org.au/floods/
Donate to Vinnies Flood Appeal
The St Vincent de Paul Society has also launched an appeal for those hardest hit by the NSW flooding.
“Vinnies has been helping Australians in crisis for nearly 140 years, and to supply evacuees with food, clothing, household goods and longer-term recovery, we need your help,” CEO Jack de Groot said.
All donations will go towards assisting people and communities directly impacted by the floods.
Donations can be made here: https://donate.vinnies.org.au/appeals-nsw/vinnies-nsw-flood-appeal by calling 13 18 12 or at any Vinnies Shop.
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