The Emergency Relief Functional Service provides emergency relief and psycho-social support for affected individuals, families and communities to commence their recovery from a disaster.

Housing SA, one of the divisions of DCSI, is the lead agency for the Emergency Relief Functional Service. It may be supported by other agencies including Centrelink, Lions International, Pastoral Ministry Services, Rotary International, Australian Red Cross, Insurance Council of Australia and Primary Industries.

Housing SA establishes Emergency Relief Centres to provide short term shelter, information and personal support services such as food, financial assistance and emergency accommodation. Other agencies contribute services such as basic first aid, interpreter services and companion animal care. The Emergency Relief Functional Service also reaches out to the community through home visits and the dissemination of information on the wide range of psycho-social relief and recovery services.

State Recovery Office

The State Recovery Office is a unit within DCSI that works across government and non-government sectors to increase the State’s disaster recovery capacity and understanding. It provides support to the State Recovery Committee and also supports Zone (local) Emergency Management Committees.

During a disaster, the State Recovery Office coordinates state level recovery functions; provides a management and administrative service to the State Recovery Committee; and supports local recovery efforts.

The State Recovery Office can be contacted by telephone: (08) 8415 4302 or email: staterecoveryoffice@dcsi.sa.gov.au

Current projects to increase the State's disaster recovery capacity

The State Recovery Office has gained funding to undertake the following projects:

• Vulnerable People in Disasters

This twelve month project is mapping the location of people in SA with specific vulnerabilities (aged, disabled etc.) against areas prone to specific hazards (earthquake, flood, etc.). Services and programs (both government and non-government) that enhance the safety of vulnerable people in disasters are being analysed and strategies developed to address any identified service gaps and duplications.

• Engaging CALD Community Organisations in Disaster Recovery

This project aims to engage SA Culturally and Linguistically Diverse community organisations in disaster recovery. Over twelve months it will recruit and engage key CALD organisations in recovery partnerships, formalise CALD recovery roles and conduct a disaster exercise to enhance knowledge and resilience.

• SA Aboriginal Emergency Management Training

This is a six month partnership project between Australian Red Cross and the State Recovery Office. It aims to enhance the preparedness and resilience of Aboriginal communities for Emergency Management through developing a training framework for Aboriginal Community Development Officers to take to communities, to help them develop Community Emergency Management Plans.

• Corporate sector partnerships

This twelve month project will engage with and support the SA corporate sector in planning to assist disaster affected people and communities. It aims to develop partnerships and arrangements for the management of corporate donations of goods, services and funds. Download information sheet below for further information.

Information Sheet - Corporate Partnerships Project 2012-2013 [alternative]

Management of donated goods after a disaster

Australians respond swiftly and generously when disasters occur. Floods, fires, cyclones and other disasters can stir up strong emotions and a keen desire to help those affected.

Regardless of where they occur, these disasters often trigger a national response and can attract enormous volumes of donated goods.

Authorities responding to disasters have the difficult job of managing these donations. Donations of goods are often impractical or exceed community needs. The tasks associated with managing donations are substantial. It includes transportation, storage, sorting and distribution of donations as well as disposal of unneeded or inappropriate goods.

In 2010 the State Recovery Office received funding to investigate the issue, including consultation with previous recipients of donated goods. This resulted in a recommendation that national guidelines be developed.

The ‘National guidelines for managing donated goods’ that have now been developed support a more targeted, client focused and sustainable approach to this aspect of disaster management. The guidelines will drive best practice planning and positive change in the management of donated goods to strengthen community recovery and resilience.

Please find below the initial report, national guidelines and tools for your information and use.

Management of Donated Goods Following a Disaster (PDF, 892kb) [alternative]