Tens of thousands of homes were without power and hundreds of schools closed on May 21 as a wild storm front lashed Australia's northeast coast. Heavy rains caused severe flooding in northern New South Wales (NSW). The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Australia provided immediate support to those affected, through the activation of its disaster recovery teams as part of the NSW Government’s Disaster Plan.

Working from numerous evacuation centers throughout the region, ADRA’s teams worked with their disaster recovery partners to provide support for disaster-affected persons and travellers stranded by the floods. ADRA organized emergency accommodation for approximately 500 people from the communities of Lismore, Grafton, Ulmarra, Cabbage Tree Island and surrounding areas.

“The coordinated response to this terrible disaster meant that residents who’ve had to leave their homes, and travellers who were stranded, were supported and cared for,” said ADRA Australia’s Disaster Recovery Coordinator for NSW, Bruce Prince. “These people have had to deal with a lot over the past few months, so it’s great to be in a partnership that can bring some comfort during such a challenging situation.”

People affected by the disaster who did not access ADRA’s emergency accommodation chose either to wait in the evacuation centers or to make their own arrangements for temporary lodging.

ADRA Australia’s disaster response is part of a formal arrangement under the NSW Department of Community Services (DoCS), which also includes St. Vincent de Paul Society, Australian Red Cross, The Salvation Army and Anglicare.

Under this arrangement, each agency provides a specific welfare service during a disaster or crisis, with ADRA Australia coordinating emergency accommodation. ADRA Australia facilitates accommodation for people affected by disaster and, at times, the emergency response personnel called in to respond. ADRA Australia works with local accommodation venues, such as hotels, motels and caravan parks, to provide the accommodation. When conventional accommodation is unavailable, arrangements are sometimes made with DoCS to provide mattresses in large halls.

ADRA Australia’s disaster response in NSW, along with those of other Disaster Plan partners, is implemented by teams of trained volunteers. Volunteers are sourced from local communities and participate in regular training exercises and simulation events to ensure a prompt and coordinated response.

Under the NSW Disaster Plan, the St. Vincent de Paul Society provides essential personal materials, such as blankets, mattresses, toiletry packs and clothing; Australian Red Cross provides personal support and, on occasion, arranges counseling services; The Salvation Army provides catering on site and in evacuation centers; and Anglicare provides general support as directed by DoCS.

ADRA Australia also coordinates emergency accommodation in the Australian Capital Territory, Western Australia and Queensland, in formal arrangement with relevant state governments and local councils.

ADRA is a non-governmental organization present in 125 countries providing sustainable community development and disaster relief without regard to political or religious association, age, gender, race or ethnicity.