Disaster Updates – Winter 2024

This was written for and published in the ADRA News – Winter 2024 edition.

Cyclone Jasper

In December 2023, Cyclone Jasper struck Far North Queensland, causing widespread flooding and damage. Together with local Seventh-day Adventist Churches, ADRA responded by distributing 480 food hampers and opening churches to act as emergency evacuation centres.

“We are thinking of the people in Cairns and praying for them,” said North Australian President, Pastor Simon Gigliotti at the time. “I’m pleased and thankful that our Church has been able to offer assistance to the community.”

In Mareeba, the council advised that there was no evacuation centre for stranded residents. In response, under the leadership of Pastor Sean Tavai and in collaboration with council, Mareeba Seventh-day Adventist Church became the official evacuation centre. “The inspiring part was that local folks came through dropping bedding, food, and offering help,” says Pastor Tavai. “The impact of compassion, love, and reflecting the mission of Jesus to serve others was greatly experienced throughout the affected community.”

Cyclone Kirrily

Cyclone Kirrily made landfall near Townsville around 10pm on Thursday 25 January 2024 and was downgraded to a Category 2 cyclone. There was minimal property damage and no loss of life reported. On Friday, 64,000 homes and businesses were without power, exacerbating the heatwave.

ADRA, together with local Seventh-day Adventist Churches, packed and prepositioned 400 food hampers. On Saturday 27 January, Aitkenvale Church opened to distribute food hampers, put on brunch, provide power for the community to charge devices and access air conditioning.

While the destruction caused by Cyclone Kirrily was thankfully not as bad as expected, this is not always the case. Disaster preparedness, like a disaster plan and prepositioned goods, can save lives and reduce damage.

Victoria Fire & Storm Response

In mid-February 2024, severe storms cut power to 530,000 homes, and 46 homes were destroyed by bushfires.

ADRA provided two emergency relief centres with fresh produce and cash assistance, as well as offering cash assistance to those affected. Together with SecondBite, ADRA provided 900kg of fresh produce to two emergency relief centres in Cardinia. And in partnership with local Seventh-day Adventist Churches, ADRA spent the weekend assisting families clean up their yards after the storm damage.