Last updated 22 February 2024

SAES Response and Recovery teams have partnered with the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) and Local Government Authorities since early October 2023. Over the last four months, we have responded to 48 requests for support at fire grounds, providing over 7,000 meals to first responders and we remain on standby due to continuing extreme weather.

Last updated 22 February 2024

When Cyclone Jasper and severe storms impacted parts of Far North and South East Queensland, they caused widespread devastation, loss and uncertainty. Cooktown was one of the locations cut off by destruction and floods. Despite this, the SAES team together with the help of the military deployed to the town and over the next four weeks, provided over 6,000 meals, snacks and refreshments for evacuees and first responders in evacuation centres. By the time the evacuation centres and storm damage were under control, over 460 SAES employees and volunteers had provided over 10,000 meals to impacted people and first responders.  

The SAES Response and Recovery team (including surge personnel) were privileged to support thousands of people and grateful for the generosity of the Queensland Government, our supporters and partners which enabled us to provide over $2M in direct community assistance to over 18,000 people.

Assistance provided has now reached over $2,078,192

Households assisted: 7319

Individuals assisted: 18,658 

Last updated 22 February 2024

Over the past two months, the SAES teams has supported first responders and community members impacted by floods in Bendigo, Echuca, Seymour, Murchison and Rochester, as well as bushfires in the Grampians and storms in Gippsland. Over 80 SAES members have provided over 625 volunteer hours and provided 2,500 meals and refreshments.

Our Recovery team, in partnership with local government authorities, continue to support those affected with hardship grants.

Victorian Floods and NSW Fires

Last updated 11 October 2023

Recovery assistance

The Salvation Army is providing financial assistance for fire-impacted communities at the Bega- Bermagui Recovery Centre on 11, 12 and 13 October (these dates may change). For those seeking assistance, please bring:

• Essential - Photo ID with the address of your flood-damaged house (this needs to be your primary place of residence)
• Essential - A Medicare or Health Care Card to show your dependents if you are claiming a grant for your household members.
• Optional - Any other evidence to demonstrate that you are flood impacted. For example, an insurance claim, referral letter etc.

Flood recovery for Western Australia

Last updated March 2023

The Salvation Army provided vouchers to assist with the cost of essential items and recovery support from the Broome recovery centre, to help those who were displaced from Fitzroy Crossing, Derby and surrounding areas. The recovery centre is now closed. The following support is available:

Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment

If you live in the Shire of Derby West Kimberley, the Federal Government is providing a one-off, non-means tested payment of $1,000 for eligible adults and $400 for children affected by the floods.

Closing date: 12 July 2023. Further information: Call 180 22 66

Department of Communities Financial Assistance

Assistance is available to people experiencing hardship and distress as a result of the flooding. If you need emergency financial assistance to repair or replace essential household items, or carry out essential repairs to your house, the Department of Communities may be able to help you.

Further information: Call 1800 032 965

Accommodation and travel

If you require accommodation or travel support, please contact the Disaster Response Hotline on 1800 032 965. Alternative options for travel support include emailing your personal details, pick up and drop off location and emergency contact toKimberley.Welfare@communities.wa.gov.au

Last updated 17 January 2023 

At the floods peak in October 2022, The Salvation Army supported evacuation centres in Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania, providing meals, emotional support and material aid (Victoria only) to people impacted by floods. 

The Salvation Army provided 18,773 meals to evacuees and first responders in the immediate emergency phase. In the early recovery phase, The Salvation Army has distributed 1,095 bedding sets (Victoria only), issued 2,395 grants and distributed $590,640 in financial assistance to 5,512 people since the start of the floods to help meet essential needs such as food, clothing and medical supplies. 

How to access support 

The Salvation Army is no longer available at recovery hubs in Victoria. Our personnel are providing outreach services in Echuca and Rochester to support community members who were unable to access recovery centres. 

In New South Wales, The Salvation Army is currently providing hardship grants to meet immediate essential needs such as food, clothing and medical supplies to people impacted by the floods. To apply, please speak to The Salvation Army personnel at a recovery hub: 

NSW 

*IMPORTANT TO NOTE: Salvation Army personnel may not be present at some sites on rare occasions due to illness or unforeseen circumstances. We apologise for the inconvenience. 

Please bring with you: 

• Essential - Photo ID with the address of your flood-damaged house (this needs to be your primary place of residence) 
• Essential - A Medicare or Health Care Card to show your dependents if you are claiming a grant for your household members 
• Optional - Any other evidence to demonstrate that you are flood impacted. For example, an insurance claim, referral letter etc. 

The Salvation Army Emergency Services (SAES) team has supported response and recovery efforts in Queensland and New South Wales due to the unprecedented flood emergency. SAES and local corps have provided over 40,000 meals and refreshments in more than 20 evacuation centres in the first two weeks of the floods.  The team was in full operation in 30 recovery hubs in Queensland and New South Wales during the peak of the early recovery phase.

The Salvation Army is providing ongoing support to people and communities impacted by the floods through outreach teams in New South Wales and Queensland. In New South Wales, we have outreach teams that cover the Northern Rivers area (Tweed to Grafton) and the Western Sydney Hawkesbury area. In Queensland, we have an outreach team in Brisbane who is supporting community members in the areas of Gympie, Ipswich and the outer suburbs of South Brisbane.

Our Response

Last updated 30 September 2022

Thanks to our generous donors, volunteers and supporters, The Salvation Army has provided  the following support in Queensland and New South Wales:

• Distributed $13.44 million in financial assistance and in-kind support such as food parcels, clothing and household items
• Issued 39,676 recovery grants
• Assisted 42,218 people
• 250+ volunteers deployed in a total of 30 recovery hubs in QLD and NSW (now closed)
• 7488+ volunteer hours worked at evacuation centres (now closed)
• 42,647+ meals and refreshments served at evacuation centres (now closed)

The Salvation Army has provided ongoing care and support to communities affected by the Black Summer bushfires of 2019-20. All grants have now closed and our bushfire chaplains are still offering support to people who were impacted.

You can read more about how The Salvation Army supported communities affected by the Black Summer bushfires in the latest Disaster Appeal Report.