With disasters coming thick and fast as the climate emergency worsens, Australian Red Cross this morning launched financial help for flood-affected communities in NSW.
Australian Red Cross is opening grant applications for people whose homes have been destroyed or made uninhabitable due to the recent floods.
People can apply for a payment of $1000 per household to help cover immediate costs like temporary accommodation, food, clothes and bedding.
‘We encourage people whose homes are uninhabitable to seek all assistance available, so they have some relief as they take their first steps to recovery,’ said Australian Red Cross NSW Director Poppy Brown.
This assistance is intended to complement state and federal government support. For more details, people are advised to contact Service NSW.
Challenging time
Poppy Brown said, ‘It is a very challenging time for communities in NSW, with lives, homes and livelihoods lost, on the back of drought, bushfires and COVID-19.
‘Our teams of Red Cross volunteers are still supporting communities in recovery centres providing psychological first aid and helping them access services and essentials,’ she said.
‘As recovery gets underway, Red Cross will stand by communities working in partnership with government and other relief agencies to ensure our continued response best meets community need.
‘We want to thank the generosity of donors, including our supporters at the Paul Ramsay Foundation, Australia Post, the Commonwealth Bank, Facebook, Paypal, Qantas and QMS Media,’ said Ms Brown.
Applications can be made from today via redcross.org.au.
If assistance is required, please contact the Red Cross grants team via 1800 RED CROSS (1800 733 276) or email [email protected].