Among everything else Australians have had to deal with in the last 15 months, NSW is grappling with its worst flood disaster in decades. Dams across NSW have burst open, forcing more than 18,000 residents to evacuate while their homes are swallowed by the floods. Some areas of the state are bracing for the worst flood they’ve seen in 50 years. Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology is warning the rain will continue to lash the state over the next several days as two weather systems collide. That means many more are yet to evacuate.
The Federal Government has released a financial support package to help affected families. Those impacted by the floods in certain areas can claim $1000 per adult and $400 per child from the NSW Government. Find out more here.
Here’s what you can do to help those affected by the floods now and after the rain has settled.
Donate
Red Cross: Disaster Relief and Recovery Donations to the Red Cross fund the emergency team members on the ground, distributing blankets and clothes, providing comfort and support to those affected, as well as providing the public with information and assisting with inquiries at the Public Information and Inquiry Centre (PIIC) in Sydney. You can donate here.
Givit In partnership with the NSW government, Givit is managing donations to those affected by the floods. Their website has a list of items that are needed including grocery vouchers, clothes, school shoes, feminine hygiene products, and more. You can fund these items by donating money, or you can provide the items to your nearest location. The team at Givit will sort through and distribute items. You can also donate your time and skills. Click here to donate items, money, or time
Donate To NSW SES The NSW State Emergency Service (NSW SES) is the lead agency in the response to floods, storms, and tsunamis in NSW. Their volunteers are highly-skilled and trained to provide rescue, first-aid, and other services in emergencies. Donations to the SES are for the benefit of volunteers, which goes toward training, and developing the volunteers. You can make a donation here.
GoFundMe Campaigns There are already several GoFundMe campaigns online, that have been vetted. They range from farming communities to small businesses, and families. Click here to see a list of campaigns.
FoodBank Australia Foodbank is the only food relief organisation to play a role in times of emergency and natural disasters such as fires, floods, and cyclones. Every state and territory Foodbank is involved in disaster relief, providing essential supplies to support the work of first responders and emergency services as well as giving ongoing assistance to affected communities during the months and years it takes to recover. As little as $35 will fill a hamper with essentials for families. You can make a donation here.Â
The Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal FRRR has launched a Flood Recovery Appeal to support remote, rural and regional communities in New South Wales and Queensland devastated by this month’s floods. Donations can be made to the Appeal in general, enabling FRRR to distribute the funds where needed, or allocated to specific regions or communities.
Mexican restaurant chain Mad Mex has dropped a new protein, and it’s one of the most popular street foods in Mexico.
Enter, Chicken Al Pastor. It’s traditionally made with pork and grilled on a spinning rotisserie with a pineapple sitting a top, but Mad Mex has put its own spin on it, serving chicken bathed in an Al Pastor marinade with a touch of juicy pineapple.
You can order the protein-packed filling in your favourite burrito, bowl, quesadilla, nachos, or in a taco.
As always, these things are here for a good time, not a long time. Pop into your local Mad Mex restaurant, order delivery or through the Mad Mex app today.
