Thank you very much to everyone who has donated to the North Queensland Disaster Appeal. With your support, right now UnitingCare’s Community Recovery team is on the ground providing emotional and psychological first aid to vulnerable people in flood-affected communities. These teams are Lifeline trained counsellors – skilled in working with people experiencing grief, trauma and loss during and after a crisis and so far have helped support over 19,000 people since the floods started.

As water starts to subside, the true impact of recent events begins to unfold and people really start to despair.  

By donating you’re making a profound difference to long-term recovery of communities who’ve been impacted by these devastating floods, including farmers. After a prolonged drought, some rural parts of Queensland received three years’ worth of average rainfall in a week and according to the latest reports, it is feared more than half a million cattle have been killed. 

For those who appear to be coping, the real danger zone is six to 12 months after a disaster strikes. It is then, when the news coverage fades and others seem to move on, that residents who are still struggling with practical issues, like insurance claims, and emotional trauma, can feel abandoned. With your support, the Community Recovery Team will be there for all Queenslanders to get the emotional support they need.

Recovering after a disaster is always a marathon, never a sprint. With your support today, Queenslanders will receive the emotional and psychological support they need now and into the future.  

If you or anyone you know needs help, please call the 13 11 14 crisis line and Lifeline will be there for you. 

 

Image credit: The Courier-Mail