How Disaster Relief Australia will help flood affected Victorians
Disaster Relief Australia provides disaster response to communities affected by disasters, and we are proud to have been invited to manage the spontaneous volunteers wishing to help out in the community by Emergency Management Victoria.
DRA will initially be managing spontaneous volunteers from local communities who are expected to start arriving once flood waters recede to aid in the clean-up.
The initial areas of operation as flood waters begin to rescind are planned to be located around the communities of Maribyrnong, Seymour, Rochester, Shepparton and Echuca. Work will include cleaning mud out of homes, mucking out and clearing debris, rubbish removal and general clean up.
How you can help
Members of the community who are keen to assist can register their interest via the link below. Information will then be provided about where people can assist and when we will be located once it is deemed safe for us to enter these communities to begin the clean-up.
What is a spontaneous volunteer?
When disasters strike a community, specific emergency management and not-for-profit organisations automatically respond according to a pre-established plan across Australia. Each of these designated organisations has a specific role to play in ensuring an effective response to recovery from disasters devastation.
Spontaneous Volunteers (SponVols) – are our neighbours and ordinary community members. They often arrive on site at a disaster event, willing and ready to assist as required. The role of DRA in managing the spontaneous volunteer ‘mud army’ as part of the Victorian Governments’ Flood Recovery will be too onboard, induct, lead and support the incoming SponVols or ‘Mud Army’ each day while at the same time ensuring they are able to work in a structured, gainful and safe manner. By taking this approach, DRA empowers the communities we serve.
What to expect on the ground
We thank you for putting your hand up to assist those impacted by the recent and ongoing flooding events across Victoria. We are committed to helping communities, but we need to ensure a safe working environment for all. We ask that when you come and volunteer for the day with us that you ensure you are wearing the following:
- Long pants
- Fully enclosed shoes, gum boots are suitable
- Long sleeve shirt
- Hat
- Please also bring a refillable water bottle.