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2019 Queensland flood recovery continues with $4.3 million raised
In January and February 2019, an intense, slow-moving monsoon and tropical lows brought extreme heavy rainfall to North Queensland, causing widespread flooding across multiple areas. Townsville to Julia Creek, McKinlay to Charters Towers, Winton to Normanton, the Torres Strait and the Whitsundays were all flood affected.
These floods had a devastating impact and disruption with 3,300 homes damaged of which 1,255 were deemed uninhabitable. Already struggling farmers faced further hardship as their crops were flattened with some regions losing all of their stock.
Australians come to the rescue with $4.3m raised
Through GIVIT’s dedicated Queensland Flood Appeal, generous Australians and overseas donors raised more than $4.3 million to go towards helping these flood affected people. The appeal also attracted incredible corporate support, with donations from Adani, Anglo American, Wilmar Sugar, QIC, MMG, Glencore, TerraCom, Incitec Pivot, Golden Casket, Kennedy Energy, Domain Central, Stockland and Bunnings. These cash donations were invaluable, enabling GIVIT to purchase much needed items locally, ensuring people received exactly what they needed, when they needed it whilst also supporting local businesses.
With 100% of funds received used to purchase essential items, GIVIT has now coordinated more than 227,000 donations for residents and community organisations across the impacted regions.
Donations include essentials for everyday living such as groceries, clothing, bedding, linen and rural supplies and larger items such as washing machines, fridges, freezers, beds and furniture.
Thanks to the generosity of Ikea, GIVIT was also able to coordinate donations of bedding and towels so that Wee Care Residential Service, which provides crisis accommodation for children up to 11 years of age, could reopen after flood waters had swept through its facility.
Mayor of Townsville Jenny Hill, Althea Projects CEO Paula La Rosa (Wee Care Residential) and GIVIT Queensland Manager Jo Beadle, as featured in the Townsville Bulletin
"I am one of the very lucky and thankful people you helped after the floods in North Qld. The builder has just started on fixing my home so I can again live in it (hopefully soon). The reason I am contacting you is that I have some items to donate to the bushfire victims please. It is not much but I wanted to give them to GIVIT specifically due to the monstrous help you have given me. Thank you for your time and consideration... and very much for helping me when I needed it.”
Long term recovery continues through 2020-2021
Working with over 50 recovery agencies including the Queensland Government and local governments, GIVIT is continuing to provide support for people dealing with long and often complex recovery challenges.
During the long-term recovery, GIVIT has provided much needed assistance to help cover the shortfall in funds for residents rebuilding their homes who do not have the financial means to do so. In partnership with the Queensland Government Community Recovery Team, GIVIT contributed to 31 rebuild projects, to the value of $465,843 and committed to a further 17 rebuild projects at an estimated value of $305,030.
To learn more about GIVIT's Disaster and Emergency Recovery Service, click here.
