Suncorp and AAMI have teamed up with the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) to help Victorian communities impacted by the 2022-23 floods.
FRRR is a not-for-profit organisation that connects funding from governments, businesses, and philanthropists to community-led solutions that build resilience and long-term viability of smaller, remote, rural, and regional communities across Australia.
The partnership will see FRRR offer $300,000 for initiatives that build resilience and support medium to long-term recovery of communities affected by the flooding and storms that occurred in specified LGAs between October 6, 2022, and January 13, 2023.
Funded through the Rebuilding Futures program, the grants are available for proactive initiatives that are community-led.
“Different groups within the community, such as those living with disability, homelessness, or who speak English as a second language, will be impacted differently, and as such, will have their own needs in terms of building resilience and how they can prepare for future disaster events,” said Nina O’Brien, disaster recovery & resilience lead at FRRR. “We encourage community groups to be inclusive with their initiative ideas and consider how their project can support community members from all nationalities, socio-economic, and cultural backgrounds.”
Victoria is the third disaster-affected region that Suncorp has supported through the FRRR partnership over the past few years.
Fiona Thompson, group executive people, culture & advocacy at Suncorp, has welcomed the partnership, emphasising that natural disasters have devastating impacts that are long-lasting.
“This is the third disaster-affected region that we’ve supported through this program over the last couple of years, so we know that the impacts in each place are different. One thing is always the same though; local people are best placed to know the needs and priorities of their community, especially following a natural disaster event,” Thompson said.
“Thanks to our partnership with FRRR, we’re pleased to be able to provide flexible funding that means communities can determine how best to address the medium to long-term recovery, resilience, and preparedness needs and priorities for their region.”
Earlier this year, Suncorp supported flood-impacted Lismore’s road to recovery through its partnership with FRRR.
