Assistance to people needing to travel to Queensland

Due to the recent cyclone, and in conjunction with the floods in Queensland, there are many parts of the area which have been declared a disaster zone.  The need to consider the appropriateness of arranging travel for already vulnerable people in other areas of Australia to QLD has continued to be a priority.

Travellers Aid Australia (TAA) is continuing to assess each request by our clients to travel to Queensland and we are still restricting travel assistance to QLD based on the following:

• The safety for those travelling cannot be determined as conditions are changing by the hour
• Impact of the cyclone are still being assessed and much is still unknown
• The weather conditions are still unpredictable and it is not yet confirmed when the turbulence will subside which will hinder or slow the initial recovery process
• Welfare agencies / services are overwhelmed with current response to the cyclone whilst still dealing with the impact of the QLD floods and transferring vulnerable people to the area may / will create further pressure on already stretched recourses
• This also places local clients in a greater position of vulnerability

 TAA will continue to provide assistance to people needing to travel to QLD for extreme circumstances such as:

• Attending funerals
• Medical reasons which cannot be dealt with locally
• People who need to get to their homes, properties and families to assist in the protection or response to the floods or cyclone

TAA seeks your cooperation and understanding during this extraordinary period of response to these major disasters in QLD.

For further information regarding restrictions of services contact Elias Lebbos – General Manager Travellers Aid Australia on (03) 9654 2600 or 0411 721 744.