Recovering from a Disaster

Disasters affect people differently and while some recover quickly, others may take a long time to heal. Your body and mind may be affected by the disaster months later. Some things that you can do to help you recover emotionally include: 

  • Spend time with family and friends 
  • Try to go back to your everyday routine 
  • Eat and sleep well 
  • Seek specialist support when you need it 

  • The Australia Red Cross offers disaster recovery services and resources to help you and your community as well as children and young people. Visit the Red Cross website.

    The Department of Communities also offers support and financial assistance after a disaster. It’s Community Recovery Hotline is 1800 173 349.Visit the Department of Communities - Disaster Emergency page.

    The RSPCA has information about looking after your pets during and after a disaster. Visit the RSPCA Disasters and RSPCA Disaster and Alerts page.

  • The Insurance Council of Australia can help if you are having insurance issues after a disaster. Visit the Insurance Council website.

    Australia Red Cross has information and tips on cleaning up after a disaster. The Queensland Government has information about: 

  • If you would like to volunteer following a disaster, please contact Council on 4913 5000 or the following agencies: 

    • Emergency Volunteering Crew - volunteer assistance from everyday Queenslanders, registering and linking them to natural disaster response agencies. To register, click here.
    • Australia Red Cross – 1800 733 111 
    • St Vincent de Paul – 07 3010 1000 
    • Salvation Army – 4930 2850 
    • Landcare – 4949 1002 
    • BlazeAid – 0447 252 931  

  • GIVIT (https://www.givit.org.au/) is a national not-for-profit organisation connecting those who have with those who need, in a private and safe way. GIVIT matches donation offers with identified requests from a storm, fire, flood or cyclone affected region, thereby eliminating the need for organisations to store and sort unexpected donations. 

    GIVIT is managing all offers of donated goods and services during the recovery in our region and 100% of donated money received by GIVIT will be used to purchase essential items. GIVIT purchases items from local providers to support the local economy as it also recovers. 

    If you want to donate goods to people who have been affected by a natural disaster in our region, please pledge your offer at givit.org.au. 

  • The Queensland Government can help businesses after a disaster which includes information on how to rebuild. Please read more information from the Queensland Government - Disaster Resilience page.

    For farmers’ disaster support, please visit the Queensland Farmer's Federation website.

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