ADRA Australia and the Seventh-day Adventist Church are responding to flooding in Townsville.
Across three days, more than six months of rain was recorded in north Queensland. Thousands of residents in low-lying areas have been evacuated, and one person has died in the floodwaters.
On Sunday 2 February, ADRA distributed essential items to two evacuation centres. The team of volunteers, led by Conference ADRA Director Pastor Laufili Joseph Ah-You, distributed food, hygiene products, first aid kits, nappies, sheets, sleeping bags, toothpaste, and kids’ toys.
“Both evacuation centres were incredibly grateful for the much-needed supplies,” said Pastor Ah-You. “The number of people at these centres is steadily increasing.”
ADRA’s immediate response was thanks to the Council’s prepositioned supplies that were being stored in ADRA’s shed, as well as the willingness of ADRA and church volunteers to help their community. In disaster-prone areas, preparation activities such as having prepositioned supplies can save precious time in delivering relief.
“Here in the far north, we live by our saying: ‘The Good News Conference,’” Pastor Ah-You said. “I’m grateful for the full backing of the Conference President Simon Gigliotti, General Secretary Matthew Pearce, and the local pastors—all united in service.”
As people return home over the coming days, ADRA will be providing residents with cleaning kits to assist with clean-up efforts.
To support ADRA’s disaster relief efforts, visit adra.org.au/disaster.
