Disaster recovery stories: 13 March 2025
FRRR has announced the latest funding from the returns on its Disaster Resilience & Recovery Fund.
A grant of $50,000 has been awarded to the recently established Northern Rivers Community Resilience Alliance (the Alliance). The funds will be auspiced through Resilient Lismore Inc.
The Alliance was established in March 2024 in response to an increasing recognition of the need for regional grassroots collaboration. Following the catastrophic floods and landslides in 2022, local community organisers have played a crucial role in disaster response, recovery, and adaptation. They have dedicated thousands of volunteer hours to developing sophisticated community-based systems, enhancing skills, building knowledge bases, and increasing organisational capacity at the local level. Despite minimal formal support, these organisers have amassed significant expertise in community-led disaster recovery and expressed a growing need for a peer support network, which the Alliance aims to provide.
The Alliance currently comprises of 60 full members who are predominately grassroots community-led resilience groups The Alliance actively connects and engages with a network of more than 150 associates, supporters and stakeholders across the Northern Rivers.
FRRR is among the first funders of this new regional Alliance. The grant funding will support the appointment of an Alliance Project Coordinator and cover essential operational expenses, including travel and coordination activities.
FRRR’s Disaster Resilience & Recovery Lead, Nina O’Brien, said FRRR recognises the value of community-led initiatives that enhance disaster resilience at a regional scale and is pleased to support NRCRA as it establishes its critical role.
“We know the strongest outcomes in disaster resilience happen when local community groups and organisations collaborate proactively, not only during and after disasters but importantly beforehand.
“The formation of the Alliance represents a significant advancement in disaster preparedness and resilience across the Northern Rivers region. Recent events such as Tropical Cyclone Alfred highlight the importance and urgency of coordinated, community-driven disaster preparedness initiatives,” Ms O’Brien said.
Donations to FRRR’s Disaster Resilience & Recovery Fund are tax deductible and those wishing to contribute can do so safely online.
