Floods 2022: How you can lend a hand to flood victims

The flood crisis has left thousands homeless, cut-off and lacking basic needs and, while it is far from over, there are many ways to help.

Few aspects of regional life have remained untouched by eastern Australia’s floods crisis as rain continues to fall, waters rise and rivers roar at a time when many were already struggling with the cost of living.

And while the regions have continued filling the nation’s food bowls through months of gloomy weather, rural residents now wading through knee-deep water have reached an hour of need.

Not all those wanting to provide assistance to those impacted by floods can jump in trucks heaving with shovels, sandbags and big-hearted volunteers, and so are donating funds and goods in buckets for short and long-term needs.

Those displaced and cut off from shops and services need essentials like food, clothes, fresh water, toiletries and cleaning products.

Then, after the water recedes, attention will turn to what else was caught in the current.

The destroyed community health, education and support centres, clubhouses and the soiled sports gear and ruined ovals. The lost school uniforms and books, jobs and sources of income, housing and transport.

Thelost grain crops that will wipe $5 billion from the national winter cropwill see some farmers lose their annual income.

Then there are those residents in impacted areas that were still putting their lives back together after being caught up in widespread flooding and storm damage along the east coast of Australia in 2021 and earlier this year.

The Weekly Times, through its parent company News Corp, has donated $100,000 to Foodbank to help Victoria’s flood-affected communities.

Goods donated can also be to meet a direct request. Urgently required items include children’s car seats, baby care items, batteries, cleaning products, toiletries, clothing, cutlery and crockery, white goods and small electrical items, furniture and food and fuel vouchers.

WHERE TO GIVE

There are difficult weeks and months ahead for regional and rural communities, but many organisations are getting support to where it is needed most.

AUSTRALIAN RED CROSS

The Red Cross Disaster Response and Recovery Fund supports the organisation’s emergency natural disaster response. Donations are used to help with evacuations, relief centres and outreach services, but does not provide direct financial assistance to flood victims.

FOODBANK

Foodbank is a not-for-profit organisation that works with frontline charities and schools to get more than 86 million meals to those who need them each year. In recent weeks, it’s volunteers have been delivering care packages of food and ready-to-eat meals, hygiene items and clean up kits to flooded areas.

VICTORIAN FARMERS FEDERATION

The VFF has an ongoing disaster relief fund used to assist farmers during times of crisis, and who have been impacted by extreme natural events, such as bushfires and floods.

BLAZE AID

Blaze Aid is a volunteer-based organisation that works with families and individuals in rural Australia after natural disasters such as fires and floods, with volunteers helping to rebuild fences and other structures that have been damaged or destroyed.

RURAL AID

Farmers registered with Rural Aid can access counselling services and request financial assistance and fodder for livestock. The charity’s counsellors are also currently conducting welfare checks on registered farmers in Victoria’s north.

GIVIT

The charity collects financial donations to purchase essential items and services to replace those lost in the floods, as well as co-ordinating the donation of requested goods, such as car seats for children, to replace damaged goods.

GREATER SHEPPARTON FUND

The Greater Shepparton Community Flood Emergency Campaign aims to raise funds to support the immediate needs of the residents of Greater Shepparton. Shepparton has been heavily impacted by the flooding of the Goulburn River, Broken River and Seven Creeks. It is estimated up to 7,300 homes and businesses and thousands of residents have been impacted.

THE FOUNDATION FOR RURAL AND REGIONAL RENEWAL

A not-for-profit organisation, FRRR connects funding from government, business and philanthropy with the genuine local needs of rural people and communities. The focus of its work in flood-affected communities in Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania is medium to long-term recovery.

FARESHARE AUSTRALIA INCORPORATED

Donations to FareShare support the distribution of free and nutritious meals for flood-affected communities. The organisation has been in Shepparton and Echuca making meals for people who do not have the facilities or capacity to cook for themselves.

GOOD360

The Good360 flood appeal is supporting flood-affected communities on the Australian eastern seaboard and in Tasmania. Its key function is delivering items needed immediately, such as mops & buckets, shelter kits, school supplies and hygiene products, and for the medium to long-term, like electronics, kitchenware and clothing.

SIKH VOLUNTEERS AUSTRALIA

The Sikh Volunteers are in the regions handing out free hot meals and drinking water from their food van and kitchen.

DISASTER RELIEF AUSTRALIA

Disaster Relief Australia are currently managing local community volunteers to support their neighbours in the flood recovery.

WILDLIFE VICTORIA

Donations go directly to Wildlife Victoria’s Emergency Rescue Service and allow for phone lines to be staffed 24/7, free veterinarian services and carers to rehabilitate and release flood-affected animals.

BENDIGO BANK’S VICTORIAN FLOOD APPEAL

Administered by the Community Enterprise Foundation, Bendigo Bank’s charitable arm, funds raised will be used for on the ground relief and recovery.

*The list is not exhaustive and is a guide only, The Weekly Times has not conducted a detailed investigation of each charity and its governance or how much might be withheld, if any, by the organisers.