Extra emergency and food relief on its way to flood affected communities

The Morrison Government has delivered an additional $9 million directly to 83 emergency relief and food relief services supporting Australians in flood affected regions of northern NSW and Queensland.

A further $16 million of a total $25 million support package will be allocated based on demand as the impacts of the natural disaster develop based on the recommendations from the sector-led National Coordination Group. 

Minister for Families and Social Services Anne Ruston said this additional funding would immediately strengthen support services and could support tens of thousands of individuals and families in flood affected communities.

“The immediate financial and material losses associated with the floods has significantly impacted many people’s ability to access food and clothing, and to pay bills and manage debt,” Minister Ruston said. 

“This additional funding will ensure that local service providers experiencing increased demand are able to continue to deliver vital support to Australians in crisis.”

“We know emergency relief providers are a real lifeline for people experiencing natural disasters and can support people with food, vouchers for groceries, clothes and household items and help paying household bills or for a tank of petrol.”

The sector-led National Coordination Group was established in April 2020 to provide advice to Government on how to best allocate funding to Emergency Relief providers during COVID and it continues to operate. This funding comes on top of the Morrison Government’s $200 million Community Support Package. 

More information about Emergency Relief, Food Relief and Commonwealth Financial Counselling is available on the Department of Social Services website.