Our story

Capabilities

Our story

Disaster Relief Australia (DRA) launched in 2016 and responded to our first relief operation after the devastation wrought by Tropical Cyclone Debbie in April 2017. This operation, named Operation Dunlop after WWII Surgeon Sir Ernest Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop, saw DRA deployed to Proserpine in Far North Queensland. Over three weeks, 62 volunteers worked tirelessly to help the greater Proserpine community recover from the disaster. Just as importantly, we proved that the skills and experience of military veterans were ideally suited to this type of work.

About DRA

Our journey

The journey to Proserpine started in 2013, when a model of disaster relief using veterans was tested in the United States. The model was imported to the Australian backdrop and subsequently, a commitment was made. This now is our Mission Statement:
To unite the skills and experience of military veterans with emergency services specialists to deploy disaster relief teams in Australia and around the world in the wake of disasters.

Disaster Relief Australia was born of this commitment and is a fully independent Australian-Registered Charity.

Since 2016, we have grown from the fledgling efforts of two stubborn veterans to a nationwide movement. With more than 2,500 members who are the core of our dedicated volunteer base and 10 fully operational Disaster Relief Teams (DRTs) across Australia, DRA represents a significant capability.

We have proven that capability helping thousands of disaster survivors on 43 relief operations throughout Australia, and internationally in the United States, Greece, British Virgin Islands, Indonesia and Philippines.

In the spirit of WWI veterans returning to build the Great Ocean Road, DRA has reinvented the idea that veterans are some of most highly trained civic assets with skills and experience to be harnessed. They are anything but victims – they are Built to Serve.

Volunteers

Disasters are our business

DRA unites the skills and experiences of Australian Defence Force veterans, emergency responders and motivated civilians to deploy Disaster Relief Teams domestically and around the globe. Proud to maintain a roster of thousands of volunteers, DRA can deploy throughout Australia and the Pacific Rim and integrate into existing emergency management arrangements where viable.

DRA can operate independently or as part of an integrated task force offering a range of capabilities and services, including:

• Work order management
• Spontaneous volunteer management
• Incident management
• Damage and impact assessments
• Debris management and restoring access
• Home repairs
• Route clearance and property access
• Medical and health support to vulnerable communities
• Aerial damage assessment and mapping
• Resilience and capacity building
• Logistics management and humanitarian aid delivery

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Our Story

Veterans are our passion

Led by veterans, DRA is changing the narrative around the Australian veteran. DRA improves veterans’ well-being by providing the opportunity to continue to serve communities devastated by disaster. In doing so, they regain a sense of purpose and identity not found since their military service.

DRA recognises that veterans hold a unique and valuable skill set. Australian veterans are a national asset, and DRA seeks to showcase that to the world.

Alan Ashman

After five days into my first deployment with DRA, I found that whilst the daily briefings and the command and control are nearly identical to my RFS experience, it is the comradery, and the friendliness of the deployed members and their passion to give up their time and help this affected community that has really struck a chord with me.

Alan Ashman Read their story
Tony Harring

I’m ex-military and an ex-copper. I’ve never had a career to be rich. Something pulls you to it. Volunteering is the same….There is no single best part to volunteering with Disaster Relief Australia. The welcome that you are given, the way the team works without having to work at being a team and seeing the results. And seeing one less thing for the community member to do. It’s kind of all wrapped up into a happy package!

Tony Harring Read their story
Nico Reflection

I heard about DRA a few years ago but didn’t follow it through, and just a few months ago I saw a post on Instagram and investigated further. I rang and pestered the team to tell me everything I needed to know to join and start as soon as possible….In just a few days I’m back working side by side with other military and ex-military and emergency services men and women. It feels similar and familiar.

David Nicolson Read their story