One in three of us will face a disaster or major emergency.
Each year, the bushfire season starts earlier and lasts longer.
Fewer than one in five of us has a plan for an emergency.
A massive flood ruined the home Karen and Rob loved in Logan., Queensland. It was triggered by intense rains following Cyclone Debbie.
They lost photos, records, tools, a caravan and garden equipment. The clean-up lasted a year, and took almost all their time and savings.
Red Cross case worker Michelle visited them often, just like others who’d been affected by the floods. She provided psychological first aid to help Rob and Karen process the trauma they’d endured, connected them to services they needed, helped them access funds from the government, and just checked in on them.
Karen says the biggest act of kindness was that Michelle got her new prescription glasses, which she hadn’t been able to afford, as well as carpets for their home.
Karen says it’s this mix of practical and personal support that stopped her from feeling overwhelmed, and let her plan her next steps. “We got stuck in a really bad situation and I’m so grateful for Red Cross coming to our aid and getting us through it.”
Last year:
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