Bone-dry Queensland flooded with help

Flood disasters in Queensland and New South Wales will be more front-of-mind for many Australians than droughts in 2022. However, with more than 60 per cent of the Sunshine State still experiencing drought, Lutherans in Queensland are also rallying together to support families and businesses in rural and regional areas struggling after years without enough rain.

The volunteer-run drought relief project Lutheran Drought Aid Queensland (LDAQ), which operates under the LCA Queensland District’s Mission & Ministry department, has for several years been offering financial and material assistance to people facing hardship in drought-ravaged regions.

Vickie Schuurs, one of LDAQ’s four volunteer coordinators, says however that the assistance the group offers those in need is far more than just money or goods.

‘We don’t just give people money to help them, we actually talk with them about what they need and often give them help with a particular project’, she says. ‘It’s about listening to their stories and relating to what’s going on for them. People know about the floods and we’re looking at what we can do to help those people too but 60 per cent of Queensland is still drought declared.’

LDAQ is still supplying ‘Crates of Hope’ to assist people through short-term emergencies and demonstrate to those on the land that they are still being thought of and remembered. And they are inviting people to donate specified goods in the next few months so that crates can be assembled and ready for emergency delivery. You can find out more on the LCA Queensland District website.

Monetary donations and prayer support are always needed, too. For information on what to give, and how, or to apply for assistance or nominate someone to receive assistance, go to the LDAQ website.

To support the LCAQD’s Flood Response appeal or to request assistance, click here.