We have now closed our Cyclone Alfred Appeal
Since we launched the appeal on 8 March 2025, we have been deeply heartened by the incredible generosity of the Australian community. Thanks to your compassion, the appeal raised more than $737,000 to support communities impacted by Cyclone Alfred in Queensland and New South Wales.
What happened?
Early in March 2025, Cyclone Alfred struck parts of Queensland and New South Wales, bringing destructive winds, torrential rain, and widespread flooding. Homes, businesses, and vital infrastructure were severely impacted, forcing many people to evacuate in the middle of the night and seek shelter. Australian Red Cross teams quickly mobilised to provide emergency assistance, supporting people in evacuation and recovery centres, providing psychological first aid, and helping reconnect families separated by the disaster.
Thousands of people have been affected, with many facing significant damage to their homes and livelihoods. The road to recovery will be long and complex, requiring a sustained and coordinated effort from Australian Red Cross, government agencies, and local organisations to help impacted communities rebuild and prepare for the future.
How your support has helped
Donations to the Cyclone Alfred Appeal have enabled Australian Red Cross teams to:
In Queensland
• Provide psychological first aid to over 13,000 people across impacted communities.
• Support over 1,995 people across 14 evacuation centres.
• Assist more than 34,000 people through 51 recovery hubs and locations.
In NSW
• Provide psychological first aid to over 2,000 people.
• Assist 10,138 people through 23 evacuation centres and 20 recovery assistance points.
• Support outreach efforts at community recovery meetings, helping people begin their recovery journey.
Why is the appeal closing?
The Cyclone Alfred Appeal is closing because funds raised have contributed towards our immediate response work, thanks to the generosity of our supporters.
As public interest naturally shifts and donations taper, it’s important we manage funds responsibly and ensure they are directed where they are most needed. With initial response phase complete, we’re now focusing on long-term recovery - work that continues beyond the life of an appeal.
Australian Red Cross remains committed to supporting impacted communities as they rebuild. We’ll continue to:
- Provide psychosocial support to help individuals cope with trauma and loss.
- Empower communities through long-term, locally led recovery initiatives.
- Work closely with emergency agencies to meet emerging recovery needs.
Your support means we can stay alongside communities for the long journey ahead.
I still want to help
About the Cyclone Alfred Appeal
Funds raised from the Cyclone Alfred Appeal will help Australian Red Cross to provide immediate and long-term support to people and communities in Queensland and New South Wales affected by Cyclone Alfred in March 2025.
Based on ongoing needs assessment in Queensland and New South Wales and the amount raised, support may include:
- powering our response work that enables volunteers and staff to help in evacuation centres, recovery centres and outreach services.
- supporting affected people and communities to recover and build resilience to disasters.
- enabling trained emergency teams, many with lived experience of emergencies, to deliver critical assistance during times of need.
- helping people to restore contact with family members separated by the cyclone by offering services to maintain family links and locate missing loved ones.
At least 80% per cent of money raised goes directly to the purposes of this fund. No more than 20 cents in every dollar are spent on support costs so we can run Australian Red Cross efficiently and effectively.
These support costs include investments associated with the overall operational capacity of Australian Red Cross, such as:
- supporting program delivery, including ensuring our compliance and safeguarding obligations are met, and necessary program management infrastructure
- support for workers, volunteers and employees, including human resources and work health and safety
- technology and communication infrastructure, finance, audit and accounting
- secure systems to manage donations and investing in our fundraising so we can help even more people in need.
In the unlikely event that funds raised exceed the cost of our emergency services work, the excess will be used to support our everyday work with other people experiencing vulnerability in Australia.
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