In response to the severe weather and flooding, Australian Red Cross has launched the Register.Find.Reunite. service. Australian Red Cross Emergency Service team volunteers have been deployed to some Emergency Relief Centres to offer Psychological First Aid and support to impacted communities.
Australian Red Cross State Manager Emergency Services, Victoria Fyowna Norton, said being separated from family and friends is one of the most stressful things a person can experience during an emergency.
“Not knowing where your loved ones are, and not being able to contact them by phone or email adds to that anxiety. The Register.Find.Reunite. service helps find and reunite family, friends and loved ones during a disaster,” Ms Norton said.
If you or a loved one has been impacted by the events in Bendigo, Rochester and surrounds, Australian Red Cross encourages you to register or enquire through the Register.Find.Reunite. service via the Australian Red Cross website at redcross.org.au from a computer or any mobile device.
If internet and mobile devices are down due to the emergency, people can also register and enquire in person at the Bendigo Showgrounds Emergency Relief Centre at 42 – 72 Holmes Road Bendigo, and the Echuca Relief Centre at the Echuca South Sports Pavilion High Street, Echuca.
The service matches registrations from people affected by an emergency to enquiries made by their loved ones searching for news. Where a match is made, with consent, the person who made the enquiry will be notified.
It’s important for emergency management agencies to know where people are during emergencies. By registering with Register.Find.Reunite. you are also letting important services know that you are OK and what support you may need.
