Thread: I’ve spent two weeks working at the Cobargo Bushfire relief Centre, mainly wrangling international and local media, which is something I’m good at. I’ve seen every kind of government agency, charity, chaplaincy and military there.
Of course they all came days after the cataclysmic fires that caused three deaths, the loss of way more than 105 homes, damage to 400 others, massive loss of pasture, dairy herds, wildlife, native forest and fauna. And razed the heart of our beautiful village.
The economic damage is incalculable, to our people, our farmers, the tourism industry and infrastructure and the labour force, so many of whom are casual workers on farms and in hospitality. Many people in the region will have no income for at least six months or longer.
The response of the various government agencies and NGOs has been well intentioned but haphazard and confused. Huge sums are being donated but little is hitting the ground and none of it is transparent and accountable. There are many scams.
Local government, the people with local knowledge are amazing, but under resourced and overwhelmed. It just can’t deal with the number of people who need onsite, temporary housing so they can rebuild.
You’re all seeing celebrity funds. But most lack guidelines for how the money should be spent and end up in bureaucratic black holes with huge administrative costs.
If you know the system, you can game it and get money from many sources. If you don’t, there are few guidelines and a morass of red tape to negotiate. When you’ve lost you’re home and income this is too big a mountain to climb. Many just give up.
The critical message here is that if you’re going give, give to audited, transparent funds run by community for community. Find them. Goggle is your friend. That’s what we’re doing in Cobargo. No politicians, no bureaucrats.
@threadreaderapp could you please unroll.
*google. It’s late.
*your. Autoincorrect strikes again. Apologies n
