Support flood-affected communities in NSW and QLD

While we have been inundated with rain and flooding in parts of Sydney this week, many communities in Queensland and NSW have been left devastated by extreme weather and widespread flooding and people in these areas have lost loved ones, homes, pets, livestock and possessions. We are hearing incredible stories of rescue, bravery, compassion and support in these communities.

We’d like to thank the emergency services, support crews and volunteers working on the ground in the impacted areas. We are in regular contact with the local Councils in flood-affected areas and we will be offering our support where possible.

If you would like to offer your support and you’re not sure what to do, the NSW Government is working with GIVIT to ensure donations are managed well to help impacted communities and to ensure unrequested donations do not hinder recovery efforts or overwhelm charities on the ground.

GIVIT gives you the opportunity to donate a specific amount for a specific item such as fuel, pet food, groceries, sanitary products, underwear, towels etc. Once you've donated, GIVIT purchases that product in or near the town affected by the disaster, and then distributes it directly to the people who require it.

GIVIT is a great example of how technology can assist in times of natural disaster to connect communities and deliver practical support.

100% of publicly donated funds received by GIVIT will be used to purchase exactly what's needed by people and communities impacted by storms and flooding.

You can also donate via Red Cross Floods Appeal which has set up a flood appeal to help fund volunteers and staff at evacuation and relief centres and supporting people and communities to recover from the severs floods.

Find out more about donating via GIVIT.

Find out more about donating via Red Cross Floods Appeal.

Foodbank

In the past week, Foodbank has distributed 1,500 emergency hampers, 15 pallets of water and 23 pallets of bulk food and essentials. The organisation is aiming to pack 100 pallets of hampers (6,000 emergency hampers) a week to supply directly to families affected by the floods.

If you have been affected by the NSW floods and need support, please contact Foodbank at 02 9756 3099.

If you are able to offer financial support so Foodbank can continue to help flood victims, please consider donating urgently.

Just $35 will provide a flood affected family with the emergency food staples and drinking water they so desperately need.

Donate now to Foodbank.

NSW SES

The NSW State Emergency Service (NSW SES) is the lead agency in the response to floods, storms and tsunamis in NSW. The NSW SES is a community-based, not-for-profit organisation with deductible gift recipient status, additional financial support is always welcomed and allows us to invest more into training and developing our volunteers.

Donations made directly to the NSW SES are for the benefit of volunteers and are always gratefully received and are a tremendous help. All donations over $2 are tax-deductible.

Donate now to NSW SES.

Support for Flood-Affected Communities

The following support is available for flood-affected communities:

Through Service NSW, a series of support packages are now available to those affected by floodwaters in NSW. These include:

*           Disaster Relief Grants for low income earners faced with disaster hardship who have suffered damage to the structure or contents of their homes.

*           Personal and financial counselling.

*           Assistance finding temporary accommodation.

*           Small business, primary producer and not-for-profit grants.

*           Freight subsidies of up to 50 per cent for primary producers.

*           Assistance for Councils with operational costs and the restoration of essential public assets.

For assistance, please contact Service NSW on 13 77 88 or via their website.

Residents may also be eligible for the Commonwealth Government’s Disaster Recovery Payment – check your eligibility for this payment via the Services Australia website.

Flood-affected farmers, landowners and communities in northern NSW can now access an emergency animal welfare hotline for immediate assistance when dealing with stranded, injured or perished livestock by calling 1800 814 647.

And residents in natural disaster-declared LGAs can now take flood-generated waste to the tip for free thanks to waste levy waivers.

Community members wishing to help affected communities are urged to take advantage of national not-for-profit platform GIVIT or to donate to the Red Cross Floods Appeal. Please do not donate unwanted goods.