Red Cross flood appeal payments extended to people hit by renewed flooding

Australian Red Cross will distribute funds raised from its recent Australian Unites telethon to people hit by renewed flooding in northern New South Wales and southern Queensland.

Red Cross started raising funds for the floods after people and communities in Queensland and New South Wales were hit by flooding in February and March which in some parts have been the highest on record.

Acting Director of Australian Programs Garry Page said people hit by renewed flooding this week will also be eligible for a grant if they have not applied for one already, with the same limit of one per household, where they live in a disaster impacted area as identified by the government.

Some $25.2 million was raised in a weekend telethon together with Channels 9, 10 and 7, with 100% of the funds going to those whose house has been flooded, or people who have been bereaved.

Mr Page said the 10,000th cash grant has just been paid.

“The grant applications opened just two weeks ago and since then we’ve had 60 case workers working seven days a week in our call centre to answer calls and process applications. We’re also on the ground in flood-affected communities helping those affected get cash assistance as quickly as possible.

“The task is huge. We estimate around 50,000 households will be able to receive a cash grant of $500 from the appeal.

“As well, bereavement grants of $20,000 are available to support senior next-of-kin of people who died as a direct result of the floods with funeral expenses,” he said.

“We remain committed to full transparency about the appeal. We know misinformation can easily spread at times of trauma and disaster and we’d encourage people to keep an eye on our Cash Assistance dashboard which is updated daily, which gives the facts on the funds raised and disbursed.”

For media queries or interview requests, contact media@redcross.org.au or 1800 733 443