Close Search
 
MEDIA, JOBS & RESOURCES for the COMMON GOOD
News  |  Social Issues

Unsolicited Drought Donations Hampering Charity Relief Efforts


14 September 2018 at 4:20 pm
Luke Michael
Drought-affected communities say Australians’ misplaced generosity is hampering the relief efforts of charities on the ground, but one not for profit is coordinating the social sector’s response to ensure people get the help they need.


Luke Michael | 14 September 2018 at 4:20 pm


1 Comments


 Print
Unsolicited Drought Donations Hampering Charity Relief Efforts
14 September 2018 at 4:20 pm

Drought-affected communities say Australians’ misplaced generosity is hampering the relief efforts of charities on the ground, but one not for profit is coordinating the social sector’s response to ensure people get the help they need.

Online charity GIVIT has partnered with the New South Wales government to manage offers of assistance for farmers, their families and rural communities experiencing hardship during the drought.

The charity said the carloads of unsolicited food hampers and tin cans arriving in drought-stricken towns was well meaning, but not the help that was needed.

One grazier from the western Queensland-NSW border said on radio recently, that while residents were grateful for the support, they did not need food hampers or second-hand clothing.

“We’re not starving and we don’t need old, dirty clothes,’’ she said. 

GIVIT CEO and founder Juliette Wright told Pro Bono News the influx of items that could be purchased in local communities through donated gift cards was seriously damaging the viability of small towns.

“When people see what people are suffering in drought-affected areas they want to help and it’s phenomenal. But people are also delivering things that aren’t needed in particular areas,” Wright said.

“We are finding there’s a lot of food sent out to these communities, and this has negatively impacted the retailers and the small traders in town who are doing it tough.

“So our goal is to make sure people actually get what they need. It’s a win-win because it benefits the people that are affected and also the local economy.”

The 2018 NSW Business Chamber Drought Survey revealed 84 per cent of businesses and 94 per cent of retailers and traders were adversely impacted by the drought.

GIVIT works with hundreds of local charities, schools and community service providers, to connect those in need with people willing to give.

The charity uses a donation portal eliminating the need to sort and store items, only holding items requested by a registered charity supporting someone in need.

Wright said this could mean anything from “a set of tyres for a ute, a replacement hot water system because they are taking cold showers or even a school uniform”.

She said it was important to coordinate the social sector’s relief efforts for the long-term recovery ahead.

“All of the charities and not for profits involved in drought recovery are meeting regularly, and using GIVIT as the database of donations that have been offered by the community,” she said.

“So what we’re trying to do is coordinate the relief, because communities are going to be doing it tough for a couple of years. And we’re here for the long-term recovery.”

Wright said it was vital the community continued to help with this long-term recovery, even after the media and politicians turned their attention elsewhere.

“GIVIT is quite experienced at working with natural disasters and particularly massive weather events like Cyclone Debbie,” she said.

“And we’re still doing requests for Cyclone Debbie, so we understand when people have long forgotten that communities are suffering in the aftermath of a natural disaster.

“It’s essential once the media has gone that support doesn’t go as well.”   


Luke Michael  |  Journalist  |  @luke_michael96

Luke Michael is a journalist at Pro Bono News covering the social sector.


Get more stories like this

FREE SOCIAL
SECTOR NEWS

One comment

  • Vivien Hicks says:

    Unfortunately most of the charities are not helping the farmer and in some cases only passing on 10% of donations received. This is why people want to donate direct to the farmer. If people don’t want assistance with food then they probably don’t need the help and should say so when someone arrives at their door and point them in the direction to where help might be needed. The statement “we don’t want food or your dirty clothes” will only see people stop donating. I would have thought that a farmer in need received food then that money saved could be utilised towards purchasing fodder for their animals or pay those utility bills that might be building up. Charities are not working together but rather against each other for example, Scone is a perfect example where 3 fodder companies are delivering fodder on a weekly basis yet other areas are receiving nothing, or even worse some charities are charging for fodder or just leaving donated hay in their yards. In fact it is the charities that are causing the problems with the farmers by out competing them in purchasing hay so those that are not getting assistance can’t afford to buy it.


YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

‘A really big wake up call’: documenting the experiences of LGBTQIA+ refugees

Danielle Kutchel

Wednesday, 29th March 2023 at 5:17 pm

Breaking the silence of miscarriage

Ruby Kraner-Tucci

Wednesday, 29th March 2023 at 4:31 pm

More than just mats: opening the beach to people with disability

Danielle Kutchel

Monday, 27th March 2023 at 4:13 pm

Moving towards cultural safety for Aboriginal children with disability

Danielle Kutchel

Monday, 27th March 2023 at 1:47 pm

pba inverse logo
Subscribe Twitter Facebook
×