Wikifloods: Victoria’s Bushfire Online Registry Comes to the Aid of Flood Sufferers

Australia, 13 January 2011 – An online community registry to support the donations of goods and services for people affected by the Queensland floods was launched today.  The registry is based on the online system used to successfully assist hundreds of families in the aftermath of Victoria’s Bushfires in 2008.

The Goods and Services site dubbed ‘Wikifloods’ (www.wikifloods.com.au) acts as an online noticeboard for flood sufferers seeking goods and services, and people and businesses who can provide them.

The site has been established by Fitzroy Oxfam Group, a volunteer group that has raised funds for Oxfam Australia for over two decades.

Chair of Fitzroy Oxfam Group, Brian Moran OAM  believes the online registry will be of significant assistance to those affected by the flood disaster, particularly as organising the exchange of donations can be a logistic strain.

“There’s an outpouring of support from Australians wishing to help but often the emergency organisations don’t have sufficient resources to cope with either the communications or the organisation and logistics of accepting them.”

“This site will help connect the flood suffers who have lost their homes and are in need of basic essentials such as accommodation, food and clothing, with the many Australians who want to do everything they can to help,” said Moran.

The online registry allows Australians who wish to donate goods and services to directly negotiate the delivery with the recipient.  The self-managing nature of the registry also helps save valuable resources for organisations involved with disaster recovery.

“During the 2008 Victorian Bushfire emergency, the online registry proved to be invaluable in streamlining the exchange of donated goods and services and we hope the families affected by the Queensland floods get a similar result from it,” said Moran.

Contributions to support the online registry are being made by the E Team, Melbourne Caravan Hire and a whole bunch of other volunteers committed to do their bit to help.

To donate goods and services to the registry or if you have been affected by the Queensland floods and need assistance, please go to: www.wikifloods.com.au or www.fitzroyoxfam.org.au. 

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To contact Brian Moran for any media interviews, you can call him directly on +61 0403 204 320.  Alternatively, you can also contact Grace Gabriel at Espresso Communications on +61 0431 528 127 or grace@espressocomms.com.au.