The 2020 bushfires that raged across Eastern Victoria have claimed over one million hectares of land and decimated the wildlife population. Thousands of families have been affected; many have lost their homes and their livelihoods.
The impact of these fires will be felt by the affected communities long after the smoke and ash has settled.
In partnership with the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne and the Catholic Diocese of Sale, CatholicCare aims to reinstate our Bushfire Community Recovery Service to help the children, youth and families of East Gippsland to rebuild their lives.
CatholicCare’s role will begin when the immediate crisis is over and the emergency response teams have left. Children, parents, teachers and community leaders will need spiritual and emotional support to begin rebuilding their lives, and face tomorrow with hope. Communities will need support to identify the best ways to rebuild their resources in order to restore what they have lost: a strong and resilient community.
We will initially provide the Bushfire Community Support Service for three years.