Australia Bushfire Relief

June 2021 – October 2021

All Hands and Hearts worked in the Bega Valley Shire, New South Wales, Australia from June 2021 to October 2021. The 2019-2020 bushfires had devastated the area, wiping out livelihoods and destroying many homes. With many families and individuals lacking safe access to running water and toilets, our program aimed at providing crucial Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities on properties.

Our Work

In 2019, our Disaster Assessment Response Team (DART) completed in-depth, ground assessments of two areas of South Australia and found a crucial need on Kangaroo Island. Unfortunately, the program could not open due to COVID-19. In early 2021, following our COVID-19 operational suspension, we started a new process to re-assess the need on Kangaroo Island and other regions. The assessment identified that recovery in Kangaroo Island had advanced considerably during the program suspension and no longer needed our assistance. At the same time we re-assessed southern New South Wales, the worst affected region. The bushfires had devastated the Bega Valley Shire, wiping out livelihoods and destroying many homes. It was clear that within this region there was still a clear need where All Hands and Hearts could assist.

In June 2021, All Hands and Hearts launched an Australia Bushfire Relief Program to help the communities of New South Wales recover from the devastation of the widespread bushfires. Our work in Bega Shire focused on the urgent need for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) on landowners’ properties. This project ensured fire-affected families and individuals have basic WaSH on their properties, consisting of a water tank, a bathroom with a septic tank, and a shed for water catchment, storage and to contain the bathrooms. Working with our trained staff and alongside local community members, our team also worked on internal cladding and fit-out of homes, installing water tanks and completing various construction tasks around the properties.

Disaster Profile

Bushfires began in Australia in August 2019 and in early November they spread throughout New South Wales (NSW) due to high temperatures and prolonged drought. In early December 2019, the fires spread to Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia and, in early January 2020, to the Australian Capital Territory. The fires burned over 27 million acres across Australia, with approximately 3,102 homes destroyed, including over 2,300 homes in New South Wales (ECHO Jan 31).

Program Spotlight: Community Voices

“After living in an old caravan without sanitation since the fire, the assistance from All Hands and Hearts for the installation of my sanitation unit is life-changing. I now feel better equipped to move forward with my life as this assistance will make day-to-day living so much easier! Thank you for everything. I won’t forget the wonderful people I have met during this program.” – Andrea and Bella the dog