Drought stricken Victorians in need of relief
Drought-stricken communities will receive much needed relief with the launch of Baptcare’s second drought relief appeal in partnership with the Baptist Union of Victoria (BUV).
Thanks to the generous support of the community in early 2007, Baptcare and the BUV raised $216,280 to assist struggling farmers in rural Victoria. While these funds assisted over 400 families and individuals in Northern Victoria, further support is still needed.
The drought has not eased over the last year, leaving many individuals and families in urgent need of further assistance.
On behalf of rural Victoria, Baptcare and the BUV are urging the public to donate generously today and help those in dire situations.
“It’s not only the farmers who are suffering. The drought has affected entire communities because of the lack of disposable income. The result of this is devastating,” said BUV’s Director of Ministries, Alan Marr.
Many affected farmers have not had a proper income for six years leading to:
- farmers breaking down in tears when their stock fails to bring in a reasonable price;
- people avoiding getting medical help because they can’t afford it;
- schools forced to provide shoes, clothing, food parcels, lunch vouchers, and paying for excursions and uniforms for students;
- farmers forced to offload their stock to abattoirs at half price, as there are no resources left to feed and maintain them;
- people syphoning petrol out of their lawn mowers to put into their cars so they can drive into town;
- farmers being forced to keep their starving herds as the Abattoirs and sale yards are clogged;
- local businesses experiencing 90% reductions in normal sales volumes due to the major decrease in discretionary spending in rural communities;
- in extreme cases, suicide, as people feel there is nothing left to live for.
“Baptcare’s mandate is to serve the communities in need and right now rural Victorians need our assistance,” said Baptcare’s Chief Executive, Jeff Davey. “It is a privilege to be able to serve these communities in this way.”
Please make a donation to this appeal. All donations over $2 are tax deductible.
End 1