Thousands of families are facing a bleak festive season, with ongoing rain still affecting recovery from Australia’s most expensive flood event.
Rural Aid has now made an urgent plea for donations through its Buy a Bale program.
Rural Aid chief executive officer John Warlters said the scale of this disaster made it necessary to bring back the campaign, which first came to prominence when it raised $100 million for drought-affected farmers between 2015 and 2020.
“These floods have had unprecedented impact on rural Australians — families are losing their homes and livelihoods, and entire towns are being wiped out,” Mr Warlters said.
“Hay supplies are running out and stranded animals are drowning and starving.
“It’s time to bring Buy a Bale back, not only to provide much-needed fodder deliveries, but also to offer financial assistance, clean drinking water, volunteers and counselling support.”
Rural Aid estimates more than $50 million will be required to adequately support farmers over a recovery period of two to three years.
With concerns that the full extent of the disaster had not yet reached policy makers and the broader community, Mr Warlters said Rural Aid had an already “tried and tested” approach to helping affected farming families immediately.
“We’re ready to execute an extensive recovery support program, but we need as much help as we can get,” he said.
To support Rural Aid or make a donation, go to: www.buyabale.com.au
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