Victorian Bushfire Appeal 2009

Victorian Bushfire Appeal 2009

http://www.redcross.org.au/vic/services_emergencyservices_victorian-bushfires-appeal-2009.htm

The 2009 Victorian Bushfire Fund to assist individuals and communities affected by devastating bushfires in Victoria has been launched by the Premier John Brumby in partnership with Red Cross and the Federal Government.

An independent panel made up of community leaders will oversee the appeal Fund's operation.

The panel will be chaired by the Hon. John Landy AC who will oversee the urgent preparation of criteria for distribution of the appeal funds to affected people.

Donations are continuing to flow in via the website and phone, and there has also been an overwhelmingly generous response from corporate Australia.

Donations can be made using our secure online donations form or by phoning 1800 811 700.

Red Cross response:

· More than 180 lives lost with the number expected to increase as authorities access more homes and discover vehicles in which people attempted to escape the fires.
· Our biggest role now is personal support, offering assistance to people returning home and coming to terms with the magnitude of the disaster.
· Currently we are involved in the response phase providing temporary accommodation and food in 18 evacuation centres. We have registered more than 10,000 people in person, and provided thousands of first aid treatments.
· We have a team at Kinglake with medical supplies and food -- they are visiting a community who chose not to leave when the fires came through and who have not had any contact since. Priorities will be medical help, food and registering their names so family and friends know they are safe and well.
· Another team are focusing on the Whittlesea evacuation centre as people are able to return to their homes for the first time. Our team will be offering personal support as this is going to be a very difficult time for those returning.
· People from around Australia and around the world are phoning through to our Inquiry Centre to check on family and friends. Volunteers who are trained in personal support are relaying heartwarming as well as heartbreaking, stories as the calls come in.
· Our Inquiry Centre has taken more than 17,000 enquiries with more than 11,000 people registered.
· Over 400 volunteers and staff continue to work in rotating shifts. Red Cross call centres in WA, ACT and NSW have opened to help deal with the volume of calls from people checking on the welfare of evacuees.

Checking on friends and family in the area

People who have been affected by the fires are asked to register at an evacuation centre or by phoning the Inquiry Centre on 1800 727 077.

If you are unable to contact someone in the the affected areas:

· within Australia: phone 1800 727 077
· from overseas: phone +61 3 9328 3716 or +61 8 9225 8880.

These lines are very busy, so we ask that people please be patient when calling.

Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund

For specific information about the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund call 1800 180 213 or visit the Department of Human Services Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund website page: http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au/bushfireappeal.

Please do not donate goods

We are not accepting goods because it often costs more to collect and transport than to purchase from local businesses. These businesses have often also been badly impacted and can benefit from the activity. Currently we are focused on people's immediate needs. If we identify a specific need we will make a public call.

I can't get through on the website/donations form/phone line!

Due to the huge volume of people who are visiting our website and ringing our phone lines you may experience some delays. Please be patient, and try again a little later -- we appreciate your donation tremendously and ask for your patience during this unprecedented response.

Businesses wanting to donate

If you are a business and want to make a financial donation or engage staff in the Victorian Bushfire Appeal 2009, we ask that you email: businesspartnerships@redcross.org.au rather than contact us by phone due to the unprecedented number of enquiries. We will endeavour to respond within a 72 hour period.

Fundraising

If you want to hold a fundraiser, please read and follow the requirements of the the community fundraising kit, downloadable below. Please fill out part A and fax back to your local Red Cross office and a member of the team will contact you as soon as they are able. Please be patient -- as you can imagine the number of support offers is very high.

Major fundraising activities

Volunteering

Over 400 volunteers have been involved in the response with more trained and experienced people on standby. We are not currently seeking any more volunteers. This may change in the coming days as needs become clearer and we will make a public call if necessary.

Offers of housing and accommodation

The Victorian Bushfire Public Accommodation donation line is coordinating donations of billeting/housing and accommodation within Victoria. Please call 1800 006 468 within Victoria.

Blood donations

The Australian Red Cross Blood Service is not presently calling for emergency donations. Nonetheless, the Blood Service encourages all Victorians wanting to assist possible victims of this weekend's bushfires to use the online registration form at the Blood Service website to make an appointment to donate blood in the coming and days and weeks. These pledges will ensure blood stocks remain at safe levels, including additional coverage for use by burns and other victims resulting from this weekend's bushfire emergency.

Important contacts

Victorian Bushfire Information line - 1800 240 667

CFA website: http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au

State Emergency Service - 132 500

Australian Red Cross Blood Service - http://www.donateblood.com.au/

VicRoads - 13 11 70 - http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/Home/

GriefLine - 03 9596 7799 - provides caring listening in times of sadness and distress. Hours of operation are 12 noon - 3am.

Other agencies and contacts

· In NSW: Bushfire non-cash Assistance Line - phone 1800 227 228
· Australian Red Cross Blood service is encouraging people to donate blood. People should visit the website and use the online registration form to make an appointment
· Project Hope Horse Welfare Victoria is coordinating offers of support for bushfire victims and their horses -- http://www.phhwv.org.au/
· Volunteers for re-building can phone the Victorian Bushfire Volunteer Line on 1300 366 356
· Rural Workforce Agency Victoria is coordinating GP and locum services. Visit the website http://www.rwav.com.au/
· Salvation Army is providing emergency relief


Common questions about your donation

How will the money be used?

The donations will assist individuals and communities who meet the criteria set up by an independent panel of community leaders who will oversee the Appeal Fund's operation. The Panel will be chaired by the Hon. John Landy AC who will oversee the urgent preparation of criteria for distribution of the appeal funds to affected people.

How much is Red Cross taking for Administration Costs?

Red Cross will not deduct any funds from this appeal for administration costs. All funds received will be kept in a Trust Fund set up by the Victorian Government.

Is my donation tax deductible?

All donations over $2 are tax deductible.