Disaster Recovery or Community Recovery Services
Disaster recovery or community recovery services are those
that come into effect as soon as possible after the disaster
event and are provided to assist individuals, families and
communities to deal with the impacts of the disaster event
and regain an acceptable level of functioning. The services
that typically are provided are information, personal support,
resources, specialist counselling and ongoing community development
services. A number of state and non-government agencies (both
local and external agencies) initially work together as a
disaster recovery team to provide such services. However,
the work of community recovery is ongoing and sometimes quite
lengthy, so it is something that local community based agencies
assume control over in the longer term (though there may be
funding or other support provided by the state to assist with
this).
The prime mechanism utilised by the Queensland Government
for providing financial assistance to communities affected
by natural disaster events is the Commonwealth/State Natural
Disaster Relief Arrangements (NDRA). This scheme may be utilised
to assist with the cost of counter disaster operations, some
of the costs of which might be recouped by agencies involved
in disaster response and recovery operations. As part of the
resources available after 'declared disasters' under this
scheme, there are also prescribed disaster relief assistance
payments available (Disaster Relief Assistance Scheme) to
those individuals and families who have need for immediate
financial assistance due to immediate hardship. Sometimes
there is also further assistance provided for replacement
of lost/damaged goods or structural repair work, but this
is strictly means tested.
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There are also concessional loans that are available (under
the Associations Assistance Scheme) to community organisations
(eg. sporting clubs) that have sustained damage to their buildings/property/equipment,
as well as monies made available to Local Government or State
Government for restoration of public assets (eg. roads &
other infrastructure).
Additionally, there may be low interest concessional loans
available for impacted small businesses with similar loans
or freight subsidies available for primary producers. Such
relief for small businesses is available following disasters
that have significantly damaged buildings, plant, equipment
and stock. For primary producers these loans may be available
for carry-on requirements following natural disasters of substantial
magnitude, along with freight subsidies in certain circumstances.
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