The Government has announced an $11.5 million Community Support Package to help tens of thousands of people affected by the recent floods, and as regions prepare to respond to Cyclone Gabrielle. This will sit alongside the $5 million package to help businesses announced on February 8th.
Of the money, $4 million will go towards providers to ensure they can meet increased demand and support wellbeing of their staff and volunteers due to flooding and cyclone, $1 million to replenish stocks at food banks currently experiencing high demand, $2 million of grants for community groups to support flood response, $4 million expansion of the scope of Community Connectors to support Auckland and impacted regions’ flood response efforts and $500,000 ring fenced funding to respond to the needs of disabled people.
“Community organisations, groups and iwi have mobilised quickly to support people and whānau who have been impacted and displaced as a result of the unprecedented flooding. However it’s clear that demand for support is exceeding funding available for these groups to respond quickly to need in the community,” said Minister for Social Development and Employment Carmel Sepuloni.
“Today’s announcement is another part of the Government’s ongoing response as we continue to support Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland and impacted regions.
“This support package will provide immediate relief for individuals and families, bespoke support for disabled people like transport assistance, as well as support for the voluntary sector who continue to be at the heart of their communities and our response.
“Today’s package sits alongside a suite of supports that Government have swiftly put in place to support the response in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. These include, the $5 million support packaged for Auckland businesses, support to provide public transport assistance for disabled people, Civil Defence Emergency Management payments, MSD’s Hardship Assistance payments, Rural Assistance payments as well as the Enhanced Taskforce Green programme which can be tapped into to support the clean-up.”
