Q1: What has been the involvement of Australian Red Cross in the Eyre Peninsula bushfires?

A: Our role under the Emergency Management Act is to work with State Government as part of its emergency and response capabilities.

Since the start of the bushfire tragedy, Red Cross has been working cooperatively with the Government and its agencies in both the recovery and fundraising phases for victims.
Our disaster teams and volunteers brought a range of support services into action including the activation of the National Registration and Inquiry System (NRIS) which was used to meet, greet and register fire evacuees.

Additionally, as part of the cooperative approach with other organisations, State Government asked Red Cross to coordinate the West Coast Bushfire Appeal.

All money is going to aid victims under the State Emergency Relief Fund legislated by the Emergency Management Act 2004.

Q2: How much money has been raised from the West Coast Bushfire Appeal?

A: Through the generosity of people right across Australia, $1,126,115 was raised from this special bushfire appeal which officially closed on 30 April 2005.

Q3: There are several bushfire relief aid committees on Eyre Peninsula. Where does the West Coast Bushfire Appeal fit?
 
A: A number of local Eyre Peninsula charity and community organisations other than Australian Red Cross have also been raising funds for fire victims and have formed a locally based allocation committee.

However, the funds raised through Australian Red Cross West Coast Bushfire Appeal are being overseen by the State Emergency Relief Fund Committee because Red Cross was asked by Government to raise funds. 

Q4: How is Red Cross is working with other agencies and organisations to ensure effective relief efforts?
 
A: There is a variety of complex human and structural recovery problems in the fire-affected communities. It would be difficult for one agency alone to deal with the volume and understand the complexity of all these critical community needs. We determined the most effective role for Red Cross would be as part of an integrated, well-planned and coordinated approach.

Australian Red Cross set up the West Coast Bushfire Appeal as part of this overall community approach with Government and non-government agencies. This decision was taken to make certain that appeal funds were distributed directly to aid victims of the bushfire and not used for any administrative purposes. 
By working collaboratively with Government, we are subject to the existing State Emergency Management Act 2004 legislation ensuring openness and proper procedures in disbursement of all funds directly to where they are needed most.

Q5: What are the terms of reference of the State Emergency Relief Fund Committee and how is Australian Red Cross represented?

A: The Committee’s terms of reference have been determined by the Governor and provided to people who suffered loss or damage as a result of the fires with priority for those who need it most and will have the most difficulty to recover quickly.
The Governor’s Directions are available on the Services SA website at www.service.sa.gov.au/bushfire_recovery.asp
 
Australian Red Cross perspective on the Committee is represented by Christine Sherry, Regional Transport Coordinator for Eyre Peninsula. Chris is able to bring a community perspective about local needs and impacts. Her role is to provide on-going input and feedback to the Committee about local needs.

In addition, the Chair of the Relief Fund Committee, Mr Barry Grear, is an extremely experienced disaster services professional and is also a patron of Australian Red Cross, South Australia.

Q6: What decisions have been made about compensation for victims?

A: The State Emergency Relief Fund Committee has allocated support to people affected by the bushfires.
The Committee confirmed that the Fund would be allocated to all people affected by the fire. This includes all people in the fire’s footprint at the time or who have property in the footprint according to the Governor’s Directions.

The Minister for Emergency Services in South Australia, Carmel Zollo, announced that the Department for Families and Communities database at the Eyre Peninsula Recovery Centre has recorded all persons assessed as being affected by the bushfire. This information was used for the actual distribution of funds by the Committee. 

Q7: How was the distribution of donations carried out for the fire victims?

A: The State Emergency Relief Fund Committee has distributed the donated monies in the Fund through three rounds:

In the first round, the committee provided $500 to each adult and $300 to every child affected by the bushfires. This allocation in May 2005 used roughly half of the total dollars raised.

Next, the Committee determined that people with urgent high priority needs would be the focus of the second round of funding in August 2005.
 
Six thousand dollars was provided to each family whose home was destroyed in the tragedy.

In addition, other categories of fire-affected people were also compensated by the State Emergency Relief Fund Committee during this round.

In the final round of funding, the Committee allocated remaining monies to all adults who received gifts in the first distribution.

Each adult received $340.  Children under 16 years of age did not receive a gift in this allocation. 

 Q8: Can I still donate to the West Coast Bushfire Appeal?

A: No, Red Cross is no longer accepting donations for this appeal which closed officially on 30 April 2005.

However, people who would still like to make a donation for bushfire victims or would like more information, please contact: Mr Barry Grear, State Emergency Relief Fund Committee, GPO BOX 2343, Adelaide SA 5001or ringing on 0418 803 334.

Q9: How much money is Australian Red Cross taking from the West Coast Bushfire Appeal to cover its administrative fees?

A: None. Australian Red Cross is absorbing all the expenses of operating the appeal.