The Queensland Country Women’s Association (QCWA) has made vital crisis funding available to drought-affected farmers and their families after the Southern Downs was drought declared earlier this year. The members of the QCWA are currently assisting farmers and their families with household support in every part of Queensland with $300,000 spent each year.

Support is given in the form of grocery vouchers, store credit, or being able to pay some overdue accounts such as utility bills. Every dollar that is donated to the QCWA goes directly to those in need. In May, Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner drought declared the region following extremely dry conditions and little-to-no rainfall over a prolonged period. Born from the need to assist women and families during times of crisis, the Public Rural Crisis Fund has been an initiative of the QWCA since 1990. This fund not only supports families suffering from drought, flood, or fire but is for all families experiencing any type of crisis.

Southern Downs Councillor for Rural, Environmental, Sustainability, and Waste Management, Cameron Gow said the QCWA has a long history of assisting rural families in need. “Let me encourage people in need to get in touch with the QCWA in relation to the Crisis Fund. Easing the financial burden even for a short while can have a big impact on a family’s overall wellbeing. A drought creates an extra burden for farmers to bear; a burden which organisations like QCWA want to share.”

The members of the QCWA are very proud to be able to offer this type of support to the women and their families suffering in this drought, an uncontrollable element of their daily lives. Tax-deductible donations can be made through the QCWA Lend A Hand website.

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