Drought Relief Appeal delivers another $1.5 million to charities

As of this week, the National Farmers’ Federation  in partnership with  Channel 9 and Rotary Australia has raised more than $9 million for drought-affected farmers through the 2018 Drought Relief Appeal

“We are overwhelmed by the generosity of Australians,” NFF president Fiona Simson said.

“We are committed to seeing that every single dollar is translated into the help that our farmers need.”

To translate the donations of big-hearted Australians into the helps farmers need, the Appeal partners this week distributed $1.5 million, in $250,000 allocations to charities making a difference on the ground.

CWA NSW , CWA of QLD, the Salvation Army, Drought Angels and two regional Rotary Clubs all received money to assist their drought support programs.

The CWA distribute financial support for household expenses such as food vouchers, domestic water, vehicle maintenance, school, electricity and dental and medical bills

We’ve been blown away by the efficiency of both CWA arms in translating relief funds to on-the-ground help, including assistance with household bills and groceries

National Farmers’ Federation’s President Fiona Simson said .

The Salvation Army, which has a partnership with the NSW Farmers Association, will utilise the funds for financial and pastoral support, including gift cards for use in local shops.

Drought Angels provide meaningful and personalised assistance for rural farmers, specifically in Queensland, many whom have been battling drought for more than seven years. This charity will provide food hampers, care packs, prepaid visas, local store vouchers, stock feed and hay.

The remaining $750,000 will be distributed  to a number of regional Rotary Clubs.

The Rotary Clubs of Longreach, Moranbah and Pioneer Valley will continue their valued drought support to local farmers including the provision of mental health services, household bill relief and assistance with education expenses.

While the Rotary District 9630 (located in southern Queensland) will apply their $250,000 allocation to provide financial assistance for food and other household necessities.

This announcement has followed the allocation of $1 million in donations a fortnight ago.

Our Drought Appeal has now raised $8,913,825! Our priority is to make sure 100% of your donations get exactly where they're needed and we're proud to announce where more of the money is going. #9Today pic.twitter.com/YKswdlHIdC

— The Today Show (@TheTodayShow) August 27, 2018

Ms Simson said the NFF recognises the importance of balancing the need for immediate relief with the need to handle the donated funds with extreme care.

“We continue our commitment to making sure the funds donated by hard working Australians are used in the ways that will most benefit our farmers in need.

“Our primary objective is to ensure relief is delivered in a way that is targeted, transparent, and beyond reproach,” Ms Simson said.

Ms Simson recognises that many of the issues drought presents will remain long after it rains and the overwhelming amount of donations is a valued help to the drought affected communities and farming families in regional and rural Australia.

We are approaching this in terms of a marathon and not a sprint.

“Even though some parts of NSW got rain over the weekend, it’s actually going to go on for a long time yet before we are going to get some recovery in those areas,” she said.

Starting from Friday, Need for Feed, a project of Lions International and a recipient of $500,000 in the first tranche of relief donations, will send up to 90 trucks loaded with feed and other necessities to farmers throughout NSW.