The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Australia has activated its National Emergency Management Plan to respond to the floods on the mid-north coast of New South Wales. Days of heavy rainfall beginning in early May have led to flash floods, damaged homes, and displacement in several towns, prompting local churches and relief organisations to respond.

ADRA is working with neighbourhood centres in Port Macquarie and Wauchope to provide assistance to those most affected. ADRA is looking to extend its support by partnering with the neighbourhood centres in Taree and Kempsey to address the widespread need.

“In times of disaster, cash assistance provides instant relief while allowing those affected to buy exactly what they need,” said Eric Leichner, Emergency Management director for ADRA Australia. “Some families may need access to food, clothing, or other essentials. Cash gives them the flexibility to purchase what they need most.”

Recently, ADRA Wauchope Community Connect Soupervan and the Wauchope Seventh-day Adventist Church opened their hall and served soup to the community. The team intends to offer a lunchtime soup service until the flooding recedes.

“There were 100 people from the community in our church today to connect with,” said Helen Eggleton, volunteer at ADRA Wauchope Community Connect SouperVan. “We will do this each day until the flooding recedes.”

Meanwhile, volunteers at Wingham Adventist Church are among the “heroes” identified in a media article recognising those helping out in the flood crisis. The Daily Telegraph reported, “Hardworking volunteers at Wingham’s Seventh-day Adventist Church, upstream of Taree, were also cooking up a storm during the flood event, with a table packed full of delicious dishes for hungry residents seeking shelter.”

About ADRA

ADRA is the global humanitarian arm of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, working in more than 120 countries to deliver relief and development assistance to individuals regardless of ethnicity, political affiliation, or religious association. In Australia, ADRA collaborates with local churches and community groups to respond to disasters and support long-term recovery and wellbeing initiatives.

The original article was published on the South Pacific Division news site, Adventist Record. Join the ANN WhatsApp Channel for the latest Adventist news.