Now 18 months on from the devastating summer bushfires of 2019-20 the fresh shoots of recovery have emerged.
Against the backdrop of a global COVID-19 pandemic the Australian Red Cross has been quietly helping families in fire affected communities rebuild their homes, their lives and providing mental health support.
In early 2020 as a part of the Volvo Group seasonal gift, AB Volvo donated $600,000.00 AUD to the Australian Red Cross to aid those affected by the worst Australian bushfire season on record.
To date, the Australian Red Cross has disbursed $224 million dollars in aid to victims of the bushfire crisis with a further $18 million allocated towards ongoing projects and grants.
In the last year and half 32,039 people through 604 psychosocial support activities including individual support, community events, support groups, and anniversary events. 2,846 people were supported with 168 recovery training and workshops. 975 people participated in 29 community resilience workshops.
“I am proud to be a part of an organisation that supports humanitarian causes like this,” says Martin Merrick, President and CEO, Volvo Group Australia.
“To be able to see the progress and recovery of these communities due to the hard work of the Australian Red Cross is both rewarding and humbling,” he said.
“At Volvo Group we often talk about shaping the world we want to live in, that doesn’t only extend to building clean, efficient vehicles, it’s also about supporting the communities that sustain us.
“I look forward to seeing those rural and coastal communities devastated by this disaster, rebuild, recover and flourish in the future.”