Australian Flood Response

March 8, 2022

The east coast of Australia has been battered by more than a week of torrential rain and fatal flash flooding, as communities begin to survey the wreckage that has left townships looking like war zones in the worst flooding in its history.

South-east Queensland and the north coast of New South Wales have borne the brunt of the “one in-1,000 year” catastrophic weather conditions, which have claimed at least 17 lives and devastated thousands of properties and livelihoods. The clean up and recovery will last months if not years.

Many areas are without drinking water as flood waters are heavily contaminated from nearby factories and farms.

In much discussion with the State Emergency Services on the ground, Waves For Water Australia will be responding to remote areas without potable water with an acute response. Reports of water borne illness in the area identifies an urgent need for hygiene hubs of tanks and bucket filter systems for hand washing and clean drinking water.

The location of primary implementations includes the rural areas in north-eastern NSW around Lismore, Coraki, Broadwater and Evans Head. Community hubs will be set up to include rain catchment tanks with fitting and filters (costing ~ $1500 and providing up to 1000 people with daily drinking water) and bucket filter systems ($80).

This page will be updated with progress, monitoring and evaluation reports. You can also follow us on instagram @wavesforwateraustralia

Any donations towards this effort are greatly appreciated as we embark on helping our fellow Australians in need.

Get in touch admin.aus@wavesforwater.org