Emergency services stories
Learn how Red Cross is responding to disasters and working with communities as they recover.
Queensland and New South Wales Floods Report
An update on our response to the Qld & NSW floods, from support in evacuation centres, to cash assistance, and long-term help on the recovery journey for tens of thousands.
From loss and grief to recovery
The Lismore floods hit hard, and ongoing support will be needed.
The support of volunteers in recovery
In the middle of one of the worst floods in Australia’s recorded history, the power of community and the miracle of life.
A slice of paradise
With support, Rese and her family are putting their haven back together after the floods.
A warm hug in hard times
As flood waters rose in Lismore, Polly found comfort at the evacuation centre.
When small actions make a big difference
After losing everything in the floods, Monica found relief in the generosity of Australians.
The value of a teddy in times of trauma
How a simple gesture of kindness goes a long way to comfort children in a disaster.
Putting pieces back together after the floods
Diane and Derek on recovery after the Hawkesbury rains.
After the pouring rain come tears and brave laughs
Our Red Cross media team, Susan and Carolyn, reflect on their deployments to flood-affected areas in Queensland and NSW.
When the floods hit, Red Cross teams were there
Photos from Red Cross volunteers as people were evacuated in eastern Australia.
Australian Bushfires
In summer 2019/20 Australia experienced the worst bushfires on record.
Jennet was there when no one else could be
A Red Cross volunteer for 28 years, Jennet was the sole emergency services volunteer on hand when bushfires swept through the Cann River region in Victoria last summer.
Mt Beauty’s journey of resilience
After 2020’s devastating bushfires, the community of Mt Beauty came together to recover – and prepare for the next disaster.
How your donations have helped Matt
Recovering from last summer's bushfires has been tough for Matt, but the support he has received from Red Cross - thanks to your donations - has helped him keep going.
Sheltering together on the beach during the fires
The people alongside to help survive the disaster came from just over the fence.
Summer bushfires: every day is a new day
Jack Wotton says he is taking every day as a new day after this summer’s bushfires destroyed his family’s home near the village of Cobargo, in south-east New South Wales.
”That’s the way communities are supposed to be.”
For Sherrie Nye, the summer bushfires didn’t just devastate her hometown of Mogo, they tore at the heart of her very being. But the months afterwards have shown the strength within Sherrie, her family and community.
Bushfires: the difference kindness has made
Many bushfire survivors in Mogo are coming forward for help for the first time. Local resident Richard Adams is grateful to all the people whose donations and kindness continue to make that support possible.
A place to call home
On an isolated cattle farm that was hit hard by the Black Summer bushfires the Sturgess family are building a new home for their friend Smiley, with the help of two Red Cross emergency relief grants.
