Disaster Recovery is part of emergency management, which includes the broader components of prevention, preparedness and response. Planning for recovery is integral to emergency preparation. Disaster recovery includes physical, environmental and economic elements as well as psychosocial wellbeing.
Recovering from a disaster can be a long and complex process. Disasters can affect individuals, families and communities and no individual, family or community is affected in the same way. Recovery is more than just replacement of what has been destroyed and the rehabilitation of those affected. The aim is to leave the community more resilient than before. Communities have the best understanding of their needs and are in the best position to prepare for, withstand and recover effectively from disasters.
Successful recovery relies on:
- understanding the context
- recognising complexity
- using community-led approaches
- ensuring coordination of all activities
- employing effective communication
- acknowledging and building capacity.
These six elements form the National Principles for Disaster Recovery, which were developed by the Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments and the Australian Red Cross and are used to guide recovery advice and assistance.
Many organisations work to support recovery after a disaster. These include all levels of government, community organisations, and the private sector.
Australia has coordinated recovery arrangements in place across all levels of government. Representatives from state and territory recovery agencies participate in state emergency management committees to ensure continuity and consistency between response and recovery. Community and non-government agencies also participate in recovery arrangements at the state and national level.
The Commonwealth Government has a range of recovery coordination arrangements to support the states and territories, including some programs that provide financial assistance during and after the emergency to individuals, communities or the states and territories.
At the national level there are a range of plans and committees in place to coordinate efforts in responding (Australian Emergency Management Plans) and recovering (Australian Government Disaster Recovery Arrangements) from a disaster. These plans outline the responsibilities, authorities, mechanisms and communication protocols for responding to, and recovering from, a wide range of situations; examples include plans to respond to pandemic influenza or a terrorist incident.
Disasters within Australia
The Commonwealth Government provides support to states and territories through:
The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Arrangements
Commonwealth Government advice and assistance for disaster recovery is coordinated through the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Arrangements. The Arrangements were developed and are maintained by the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA), the lead Commonwealth Government agency for disaster recovery.
Under the Arrangements, the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Committee (AGDRC) provides advice, coordinates and implements disaster recovery assistance in response to disasters that occur within Australia and also has a role in providing assistance for offshore disasters. The AGDRC, chaired by FaHCSIA, has representatives from a range of Commonwealth Government agencies.
The AGDRC works with state and territory governments through the Community and Disability Services Ministers’ Advisory Council (CDSMAC) Disaster Recovery Sub-Committee. This allows coordination of assistance and planning across different levels of government.
The Commonwealth Government also consults with community based and non-government organisations around disaster preparedness and recovery issues. Key community service, volunteer and relief organisations, such as the Australian Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and St John’s Ambulance, are members of the Not-for-Profit Advisory Group, a subcommittee of the AGDRC.
Offshore disasters
For an offshore disaster or critical incident involving Australians, the Commonwealth Government may convene the Interdepartmental Emergency Taskforce (IDETF), chaired by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). The IDETF will coordinate a whole‑of‑government approach for response and recovery. Recovery assistance may be provided to Australians affected by such events; which is coordinated through the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Committee (AGDRC).
Disaster Recovery is part of emergency management, which includes the broader components of prevention, preparedness and response. Planning for recovery is integral to emergency preparation. Disaster Recovery includes physical, environmental and economic elements as well as psychosocial wellbeing.
Recovering from a disaster can be a long and complex process. Disasters can affect individuals, families and communities and no individual, family or community is affected in the same way. Recovery is more than just replacement of what has been destroyed and the rehabilitation of those affected. The aim is to leave the community more resilient than before. Communities have the best understanding of their needs and are in the best position to prepare for, withstand and recover effectively from disasters.
Disaster recovery assistance
Recovery assistance provided by the Commonwealth Government addresses the social and community impacts of a disaster. Established disaster recovery programs, payments and services can be activated for a disaster, following Ministerial approval. These could include financial assistance, such as the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment, Ex-gratia assistance, such as financial assistance for funerals or memorials, and support services such as counselling, case management or financial advice. Existing services such as Emergency Relief , Family Relationship Services and Income Support can be used to support those affected by a disaster, and programs can be adjusted to suit the changing circumstances arising from a disaster.
Information on assistance provided by the Commonwealth Government in response to a disaster is available from www.disasterassist.gov.au. The website has public information messages, free call numbers, information on Commonwealth Government assistance packages and links to other relevant websites and information.
Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment
The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) provides a one-off immediate payment of $1,000 per eligible adult and $400 per child to assist in the recovery of individuals and families who are adversely affected by a major disaster.
The Minister for FaHCSIA has authority under the Social Security Act 1991 to activate the AGDRP for a ‘major disaster’. In determining if an event constitutes a ‘major disaster’ the Minister considers the number of individuals affected, the impact on individuals and families, the extent to which the scale or nature of the disaster is unusual and whether the relevant state/territory has the capacity to adequately respond.
Information on the assistance available from the Commonwealth Government to people affected by a major disaster is available from www.disasterassist.gov.au. When activated claims for the AGDRP can be lodged with Centrelink.
Ex-gratia assistance
The provision of tailored assistance to further support individuals, family and communities affected by a major disaster, or critical incident, is considered on a case by case basis. The Prime Minister considers the need for assistance and the extent to which additional support from the Commonwealth Government is warranted.
Information on the assistance available from the Commonwealth Government to people adversely affected by a major disaster is available from www.disasterassist.gov.au.