Rural Aid has resurrected its hugely successful Buy a Bale fundraising campaign to help communities across NSW, Victoria and South Australia recover from devastating flooding.
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The flood has already resulted in $5.5 billion in damages. The true cost, however, is estimated to be significantly higher.
More than 130 local government areas have been disaster declared - 55 in Victoria and 78 in NSW.
And with the Bureau of Meteorology predicting there could be above average rainfall from December to January in many of the already impacted areas, the outlook is grim.
In response to the ongoing natural disaster, Rural Aid has relaunched Buy A Bale, which was so well supported by the Australian community during the drought. It helped raise critical funds and the emergency fodder deliveries provided by the team saved the lives of countless starving animals. This time, the campaign will not only to provide much-need fodder deliveries, but also to offer financial assistance, clean drinking water, volunteer and counselling support to Aussie farming families facing this crisis.
Already, hay has been sourced for the NSW Central West region and the organisation expects much more will be needed in the months ahead.
Rural Aid chief executive John Warlters said the organisation was ready to mount an extensive recovery support program - but it needs private and government funding to respond adequately to the families who need help.
"This flood event has destroyed homes and livelihoods, wiping millions of dollars from farm incomes and causing immeasurable mental anguish and stress," Mr Warlters said.
"It is difficult to measure the true toll the floods are taking, and will continue to take, on impacted farmers and communities - many of whom have experienced drought, bushfires and multiple flooding events in just the past four years."
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Rural Aid predicts at least a two-year recovery for communities and expects the funds needed to adequately support farmers and families will be more than $50 million.
This includes immediate assistance with fodder, clean water and cash payments; activation of Rural Aid's Farm Army of volunteers; and longer team mental health support from the organisation's team of accredited counsellors.
"We've always been overwhelmed by the generosity of Australians in supporting our programs that help farmers in need," Mr Warlters said.
"This particular event poses a unique challenge in that unlike the drought, where some farmers were better prepared or could take steps to manage the impact, this has been sudden and widespread."
To support Rural Aid or Buy a Bale, click HERE
