Still Standing
South Queensland Outback Flying Chaplain, Captain Mark Bulow, features on the front page of the Still Standing report. (Photo: Shairon Paterson)
The Salvation Army has released Still Standing - a 12 month report on its response to the 2011 flood and cylone disasters in Queensland.
The report details how The Salvation Army has used the $31 million raised through its Disaster Appeal to help thousands of affected families and individuals as they get back on their feet.
In his opening letter, Commissioner James Condon says The Salvation Army will continue to stand by those affected for many years to come. "As our people on the ground stood alongside those in need when the crisis unfolded, we knew that this was the start of a long-term partnership with the people of Queensland.
"We have sown seeds of hope into disaster-struck communities – setting up centres, programs and services that will operate well into the future."
One of the stories told in the report is that of Terri-Ann, whose home and belongings were completely destroyed in the floods. She, her partner and their three children lived in a tiny 3-by-6 metre “donga” for eight months.
“Then The Salvation Army showed up and they found us more suitable accommodation,” remembers Terri-Ann. “They helped me go through the motions with my landlord and made sure we had everything we needed.”
Terri-Ann, pictured with her partner Steve and children, Tyrone, Ella-Maree and Marni at their property in Fernvale, South Queensland, which was destroyed during the floods. (Photo Shane Holzberger)
Terri-Ann and her children started going to the local Salvation Army corps and she says it helped keep her family together during those stressful months: “Just having that support really gave us hope, we knew that the Salvo’s had our back. It was lovely to knew that we didn’t have to do it all on our own.
"The Salvation Army has been so much a part of my life during the past year, I’m never going to forget it."
The Still Standing report states that The Salvation Army is committed to long-term involvement in flood and cyclone affected communities. Head of The Salvation Army’s Queensland Disaster Response, Major Paul Moulds, says funding support has been committed until 2014 to ensure services are in place to support the recovery of people and communities into the future:
"We’re here for the long haul."
A copy of the full report is available online at salvos.org.au.
Report by Lauren Martin.
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