New evacuation orders for flood affected communities
March 30, 2022
New flood warnings and evacuation orders are in place for several communities in northern NSW and southeast QLD amid warnings of flash flooding, just four weeks after record floods forced thousands of people from their homes across the East Coast.
Some areas in New South Wales saw a new weather system dump up to 300m of rain, closing recovery centres and opening or reopening evacuation centres.
Rev Dr Stephen Robinson, Coordinator of the Disaster Recovery Chaplaincy Network (DRCN) – an ecumenical ministry coordinated by the Uniting Church – said that though there are Chaplains deployed in the area, dangerous weather conditions had restricted access to evacuation centres.
“This flood crisis is now in its 37th day and, with the current new inundation, has started the clock towards recovery all over again. Locals, and those assisting, are exhausted, and it’s particularly difficult when they can’t see an end to this overwhelming rain.”
Since the onset of the disaster last month, the DRCN has fielded 71 disaster recovery Chaplains from New South Wales and Victoria, with some deployed multiple times, while local chaplains continue to go on shift to support people in their own and nearby communities.
Thanks to generous contributions from across the Uniting Church, more than $100,000 has now been raised through the Assembly’s National Disaster Relief Fund. The Fund Committee is working closely with the President and Moderators of impacted Synods to determine how funds are distributed to support the flood recovery in the immediate and long term.
Donations can be made to the National Disaster Relief Fund Bank Account by Direct Deposit or Cheque. Read more and find appeal details here.
We invite all members of the Uniting Church to continue praying for flood-affected communities and for those who face uncertainty amid new evacuation orders. Please pray for safety, for those leading the disaster response and for chaplains and ministry agents caring for people on the ground.
DONATE TO THE NATIONAL DISASTER RELIEF FUND
Direct Deposit
Bank Name: Westpac
BSB: 032 003
Ac No: 269941
Cheque
Please make your cheque payable to “UCA Assembly - National Disaster Relief Fund” and post to:
UCA Assembly - National Disaster Relief Fund
PO Box A2266 Sydney South NSW 1235
Please include a reference (for example, your surname or congregation name)
If you require a receipt, please get in touch with us.
You can also give to the individual appeals from the Synod of NSW/ACT and Synod of Queensland.