Recovering from an Emergency

Housing SA is the lead agency for the Emergency Relief Functional Service. It may be supported by other agencies including Centrelink, Lions International, Pastoral Ministry Services, Rotary International, Australian Red Cross, Insurance Council of Australia and Primary Industries.

Housing SA establishes Emergency Relief Centres to provide short term shelter, information and personal support services such as food, financial assistance and emergency accommodation. Other agencies contribute services such as basic first aid, interpreter services and companion animal care. The Emergency Relief Functional Service also reaches out to the community through home visits and the distribution of information on the wide range of psycho-social relief and recovery services.

Recovery assistance following a disaster

Refer to the Disaster Assist website for up to date public information messages, relevant free call numbers, information on Australian Government Assistance Packages offered and links to other relevant websites and information.

Donations and volunteering

"Australians respond swiftly and generously when disasters occur.

Floods, fires, cyclones and other disasters can stir up strong emotions and a keen desire to help those affected. No matter the location of the affected community, such disasters trigger a national response and attract enormous volumes of donated goods from individuals, communities and businesses.

Authorities responding to disasters must manage these donations, which are often impractical or exceed community needs. This sizeable task can include the need to transport, store, sort and deliver donations as well as dispose of unneeded or inappropriate goods." (Source: National Guidelines for Managing Donated Goods (2011), Government of South Australia)

If you would like to donate goods after an emergency it is important to wait for a specific appeal. If there is no specific appeal, consider joining with friends or neighbours to raise money which can be donated to the recovery fund.  For more information about the management of donated goods refer to the State Recovery Office website.

Volunteering is another valuable way of contributing to recovery efforts.  For more information on volunteering refer to the Department for Communities and Social Inclusion or the Red Cross websites.