Queensland churches are reporting demand for food, clothing and accommodation as householders continue the task of clearing mud from flooded homes.

Church communities have joined with others in offering shelter as well as help cleaning away the mud and debris.

The ABC quoted Margie Ripoll, the wife of Federal Member for Oxley Bernie Ripoll, as saying “Hordes of people have just come in from all over Queensland and the locals themselves are awesome.”

“A lot of the church groups have been phenomenal and some guys arrived this morning from Narabri, some guys came from somewhere on the north central coast of New South Wales, they’ve been here for a week.”

Homeless and heartbroken

Among the homeless are 15 year old Victoria and 20 year old Sam Matthews, whose father Steve, a former pastor, helped them into a roof cavity before he and his wife were swept to their deaths.

They, along with their older married sister Sarah Norman, her husband and two children are now looking for accommodation.

‘We are holding up okay. We do believe God is looking after Mum and Dad and will get us through this,’’ Mrs Norman told the Brisbane Courier Mail.

Brisbane Anglicans are co-ordinating a fund raising effort locally and churches across Australia have responded.

Archbishop Peter Jensen says Anglicans in Sydney should continue to pray for the clean up and rebuilding effort and especially about the spiritual consequences of this disaster.

Short and long term help

The Archbishop of Sydney’s Anglican Aid opened a fund last week, and Director David Mansfield has been in touch with Rev. Canon Richard Tutin who Archbishop Aspinall has appointed to help steer the Brisbane Diocese flood response and recovery team.

Mr Mansfield says “There’s pressure for emergency accomodation, food parcels and for the necessary means to help children get back to school on time.”

“It’s only natural that people would want to return to some sense of normalcy as soon as possible, but at the moment they are still in the midst of mucking out and clearing debris in their homes” he said.

Despite the immediate need, Anglican Aid is anticipating requests well beyond the initial emergency.

“Post-flood trauma will be a longer term issue and will need careful and compassionate help. Assisting churches and Christian ministries in the area get back on their feet, will be a significant focus for us” Mr Mansfield said.

Photo: Rainbowhill LL/Flickr