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Fire ravaged communities in Victoria have been given a $19.5 million lifeline from the state and federal governments including $10 million to support farmers who have suffered losses of livestock, crops and other agricultural businesses from the disaster.
The support package, jointly funded under the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, is in addition to the Personal Hardship Assistance Program payments which have been activated for those who had to evacuate their homes and are in need of immediate assistance such as food and medicine.
This assistance includes a one-off payment of $680 per adult and $340 per child, up to a maximum of $2,380 per eligible family.
The lion's share of the latest support package will go to farmers affected by the fire devastation engulfing Victoria.
“We know that there’s been huge losses of livestock, crops and other agricultural businesses across Victoria,” say the Victorian and federal governments in a joint statement today.
“The Albanese and Allan Governments will establish a $10 million emergency support program to help distribute fodder to those farmers who need it.”
The fires, which have been raging since last last week, have impacted a total of about 350,000ha in regional Victoria, claiming at least one life and destroying more than 350 properties.
“People heeded the warnings and acted to protect themselves and their loved ones – at great cost,” says Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan.
“We’re standing with them on what will be a long path of recovery.
“From emergency accommodation to mental health help or fodder for livestock – we're ensuring no one is left behind in this recovery effort.”
The latest support package includes $1.5 million to coordinate emergency accommodation options for people who have nowhere else to go and have had to seek shelter in hotels, serviced apartments and other temporary places.
The program has allocated $1 million to fund experts in disaster recovery mental health support to provide group counselling sessions “so communities can better support one another and navigate their recovery together”.
The Recovery Support Program will also be established as a single point of help so that the people affected by the fires don’t have to deal with government red tape.
A further $5 million of the package will provide case support workers to help them navigate matters such as housing, legal and financial support and practical help like accessing payments and grants.
The remaining $2 million will be used to establish a recovery hotline, providing access to general information and help to navigate recovery services such as emergency accommodation.
“The federal government is working hand in hand with the Victorian Government to provide immediate support for communities impacted by the devastating bushfires,” says Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
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