News

The Salvation Army will immediately mobilise up to $2 million from its Red Shield Appeal funds to support communities in flood-affected areas across Victoria, NSW and Tasmania.

As torrential rain and swollen rivers continue to inundate many parts of Australia, displacing thousands of people from their homes, the Salvos are in evacuation centres, providing meals, emotional support and material aid, such as bedding, toiletries and clothing.

Funds from the Red Shield Appeal will directly support people whose homes have been impacted, or are expected to be impacted, by this latest series of rain events. Assistance may include help with the clean-up, emergency accommodation or clothing.

The Salvation Army Emergency Services (SAES) currently have teams assisting at nine centres: Creswick, Echuca, Bendigo, Seymour, Echuca, Tatura and Shepparton in Victoria; Moama and Wagga Wagga in NSW. As the floods peaked last week, the Salvos were in 22 evacuation centres across NSW, Victoria and Tasmania.

“Salvation Army personnel are on the ground right now in our catering trucks and trailers, providing meals for those impacted by floods. In addition to meals, they are offering emotional support to the many people who have been suddenly displaced from their homes,” says Major Bruce Harmer.

After the initial emergency response phase, The Salvation Army will remain in communities for however long it takes to ensure they are supported practically, as well as emotionally, through the recovery and rebuild phases.

“Now more than ever, we need to band together and support these people when they need it most,” Major Harmer says. “The early and long-term recovery phases of our disaster response, implemented during times of natural disaster, remain in place often for years following the disaster itself. We are here for the long haul.

“Our SAES teams have been managing disaster relief for more than 50 years and we have a trusted history of working with governments and other agencies in supporting communities until they are back on their feet.”

Services that will be made available include teams of case workers who will mobilise to affected areas and work directly with individuals and families to provide financial support and acute care for the duration of the recovery journey.

“Natural disasters such as floods, while devastating for those directly impacted, have the ability to unite us as a country and show that Aussie spirit for which we are known.”

If you would like to make a financial donation via The Salvation Army’s Red Shield Appeal, which supports Australian disasters, please click here or call 13 72 58 (13 SALVOS).