Adventist volunteers provided vital assistance after bushfires ripped through several areas of Victoria, destroying around 40 homes and 180,000 hectares of land. One of the hardest-hit regions was around Wallan, north of Melbourne.
Volunteers from the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) responded to a request from the Wallan emergency relief centre, preparing food hampers for families separated by roadblocks from outside assistance. Local businesses donated food and help was provided by the Northpoint, North Melbourne Samoan and Plenty Valley Adventist congregations to pack the 50 food hampers.
“Community members responded quickly to our request for non-perishable food and our volunteers came together to pack them within seven hours,” said Rebecca Auriant, director of ADRA Services in Victoria.
This response is the first for ADRA since negotiations began with the Victorian Government regarding a formal role for the agency in emergencies. In other parts of Australia, ADRA holds official agreements with government to facilitate short-term emergency accommodation for people affected by disaster. ADRA leaders in Victoria hope to formalise a similar agreement later this year.
For more information about ADRA Australia’s work visit <www.adra.org.au> or call 1800 242 372.
Pictured: Local businesses gave generously to support the fire afected
