Charity relaunches relief program

MEMBERS of non-profit charity Rural Aid have ramped up their flood support efforts for farmers over the holidays.

The group has relaunched their Buy a Bale fundraiser, which was initially established in response to the 2015-2020 Australian droughts.

With record rainfall for parts of Victoria and other states in recent months and more than $5 billion in estimated damages, Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said the effects are still being felt throughout communities.

“These floods have had unprecedented impact on rural Australians. Families are losing their homes and livelihoods and entire towns are being wiped out,” he said.

“It is difficult to measure the true toll the floods are taking, and will continue to take, on impacted farmers and communities, many of whom have experienced drought, bushfires and multiple flooding events in just the past four years.

“Our immediate concern was the mental health and wellbeing of families in the leadup to Christmas, however, once the emergency subsides, communities face a long and challenging road to recovery.”

The Buy a Bale program aims to provide water and resources for farmers and animals in crisis.

It’s estimated more than 130 local government areas have been declared disaster zones following the floods, including 55 municipalities in Victoria.

Recently, the group also hosted the Farmer’s Community Connect event alongside the Rapid Relief Team in December to assist flood-affected farmers at Rochester and surrounds.

Mr Warlters said farmers have been especially impacted by the floods.

“This particular event poses a unique challenge in that unlike the drought, where some farmers were better prepared or could take steps to manage the impact, this has been sudden and widespread,” he said.

“Additionally, the many years of droughts, floods and fires have left many families at breaking point.”

Donations can be made at Rural Aid’s website.