Townsville Floods 2019 - Volunteers Urgently Required 

The latest edition of the Australian Journal of Emergency Management presents a case study on EV CREW.

Born in Sudan, freedom and security was something that was not a given in Emmanuel Andrew’s life. But since volunteering with the Logan City State Emergency Service (SES), he has found a place in the community that will not only help others, but connection which he had always longed for. Watch now!

Investment in arts and cultural-related projects is a therapeutic way in which disaster-affected communities are being supported during recovery processes. It is widely believed involvement with the arts can help those dealing with trauma by providing them with a different, creative outlet for their emotions and experiences. Research has also shown inclusion of creative outlets during a recovery period can be more beneficial for children than being counselled by a therapist. 

One of the easiest and possibly most effective ways of promoting community resilience is as simple as getting to know your neighbours!

An ongoing UQ study into community resilience in the wake of the Queensland floods has shown that during a disaster, breaking news and situation updates are often heard first from neighbours. Residents of flooded streets in Ipswich reported there is a stronger sense of ‘neighbourliness’ in the area following the flood recovery effort. 

Today, the first day of Resilience Week 2013, is also the United Nations International Day for Disaster Reduction. This year’s theme is ‘Living with Disability and Disasters’, a topic with the potential to affect all of us at some point in our lives.  More than 4 million Australians currently live with a disability, some of the most underrepresented citizens when it comes to disaster resilience, response and recovery.

In August this year, the Governor-General of Australia awarded a record 44 National Emergency Medals to the volunteers of Brisbane Coast Guard, for their critical work saving lives and property throughout the worst of the Brisbane Flood Emergency in January 2011.

This is a record – the largest number of Federal medals ever awarded to any Coast Guard Flotilla, in the 50-year history of the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association.

After a traumatic event or disaster, it is important to reconnect with your loved ones. By following these simple steps, you can get back on track as soon as possible. 

The best way to support your fellow Queenslanders affected by the floods is by cash donations.

The Queensland Government has established the Queensland Floods Appeal 2013 in partnership with the Australian Red Cross. Donations can be made by visiting redcross.org.au or by calling 1800 811 700.

Volunteering Queensland's Leadership Coordinator Tal Fitzpatrick has recently returned from her involvement in the Looking Beyond Disasters II - UNESCO Youth Forum in Sendai, Japan. The forum looked at how youth can be involved in community efforts towards disaster recovery and resilience.

Be Prepared is a straightforward facilitated process which invites community to answer the question: How will your community work together to plan how you will support each other before, during and after disasters? This unique approach to building resilience is focused on community-level activity rather than individual preparedness.

Disasters have a cyclic four stage lifecycle. Understanding this lifecycle helps us to be prepared for disasters, respond safely and recover quickly and effectively.

At each stage there are different things to know, different actions we should take and different ways we connect with people. These stages can change rapidly and often overlap.

Volunteering Queensland reflects on the year that has passed since so many Queenslanders were affected by the worst disasters to hit our state. While it was a time of heartache and loss for many, the past summer also brought out an unprecedented volunteering effort and incredible community spirit.

People recovery is the most important thing and sometimes to help with people recovery we need to help with property recovery - Joe, Global Care

Global Care opened up shop in Grantham a few days after the devestating inland tsumami destroyed small Lockyer Valley town. They have been operating ever since and will be there for many months to come.

Since January, the team out there has:

• Worked on over 500 jobs with volunteers
• Had 380 clients
• Worked with more than 1500-1800 volunteers

During the floods, the Capalaba Rotary Club found multiple ways to help the community, and they continue to play an ongoing role supporting community recovery.

Their contributions include working directly with homeowners as the flood waters peaked and receded. Their numbers grew as the days progressed and their tireless volunteers working in several communities including West End and Rocklea. They held a combined Rotary Garage Sale over two weekends which raised $93,000!

Sarah Borg watched as her house and her street disappeared under water during the recent Brisbane floods.

During February, unable to fix her own house, the 23 year-old nurse arranged to join the volunteer effort in Warwick.

"It was a time where we couldn't do anything else, so while I couldn't do anything on our house, I thought if I went and helped someone else it would be a way of saying thank you for the other people helping us," she said.

One of our most basic needs as humans is shelter. Since its inception in 2000, ShelterBox has provided emergency shelter for victims of earthquakes, floods, tsunamis, typhoons, hurricanes, volcanoes and conflicts. 

A ShelterBox contains a range of equipment necessary to survive, including a disaster relief tent for a family of up to 10 people, a basic tool kit, thermal blankets and a stove.

The Adelaide Crows travelled to Karalee to lend a hand with recovery efforts after the Queensland floods 2010-11. Watch now!