Dear Editor
Following negative publicity from the Red Cross Bushfire Appeal of 2021, and the subsequent Red Cross Telethon Flood Appeal held on 12th March on Channels 7, 9 and 10, I would like to explain to your readers how donations are being distributed to people.
We raised $25.2million for people impacted by the floods in Queensland and NSW in March. We are currently disbursing two types of grants: a bereavement grant of $20,000 per grant, and relief grants of $500 each. These grants are a gift from the Australian people.
So far $8.8M has been distributed leaving a balance of $16.4M. for distribution.
Our grants team is working around the clock to process grants as quickly as possible. Applications that have all of the correct information, identification and bank account details are being processed faster. We are getting high numbers of incomplete, ineligible and duplicate applications that are slowing down the approval process. All applications are checked and approved by our grants team to ensure donor’s money is going to eligible people impacted by floods.
All donations from individuals via our website and the telethon have been received. We are in the process of collecting donations from businesses who pledged during the telethon.
The dashboard for these grants is updated daily on the following website: www.redcross.org.au/cashassistance/
Sue Strahorn
Red Cross Zone Representative
Parkes/Forbes