C6; Disaster Relief Fund
1. Purpose
This policy is to guide the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) Committee in making informed decisions to allocate emergency funding effectively and assist farmers during challenging times and allow the VFF to deliver functions to the DRF.
2. Background
The VFF DRF is a charity that aims to provide timely support to farmers facing emergencies. The DRF operates on principles of equitable allocation, considering factors such as damage and loss assessment, personal circumstances, and the immediate needs of affected farmers.
The DRF Committee, consisting of up to five knowledgeable members, appointed by the VFF Property Trust Board serves as decision-makers, prioritising funding based on the severity of the situation and its impact on farmers’ livelihoods. Suggested funding limits are set to ensure fair distribution and efficient assistance to those in need. This policy provides for the VFF to deliver the functions of the DRF.
The DRF acknowledges Local, State and Australian Government emergency management responsibilities.
3. Policy
3.1 Governance
3.1.1. The DRF Committee is a standing Committee is appointed by the VFF Property Trust Board and consists of up to five knowledgeable members, and if required, up to two non-members with specialist skills.
3.1.2. The VFF Property Trust will convene the DRF Committee and initiate calls for donations from the public, and applications from affected farmers (members and non-members) when the consequences of an incident do not meet the criteria for Government payments, or other relief and recovery services are insufficiently responsive.
3.1.3. The DRF Committee serves as decision-makers, prioritising funding based on the severity of the situation and its impact on farmers’ livelihoods.
3.1.4. The DRF Committee functions in accordance with the VFF Board Charter.
3.1.5. VFF management provide the DRF Committee secretariate.
3.2 Incidents
3.2.1. The VFF Property Trust Board recognises the Victorian Government definitions of an incident when considering whether to convene the DRF Committee and initiate the DRF.
3.2.2. Level 1 incidents are characterised by being resolved through the use of local or initial response resources only. The incidence and its control are limited to the immediate area and the incident controller can usually perform all necessary functions.
3.2.3. Level 2 incidents may be more complex either in size, resources, or risk. They are characterised by the need for: deployment of resources beyond the initial response, or the operations being divided into geographic or functional sectors, or the establishment of formal incident management roles due to the level of complexity, or a combination of the above.
3.2.4. Level 3 incidents are characterised by degrees of complexity that may require a more substantial organisational structure to manage the emergency. These emergencies will usually involve delegation of all incident management functions.
3.3. Grant size and approval
3.3.1. Grants of up to $3,000 are typically approved by the Committee to individual farmers. Grants to individual farmers greater than $3,000 must be approved by the VFF Property Trust Board.
3.3.2. Grants of up to $5,000, $25,000 or $50,000 are typically made to organisations on recommendation to and approval by the DRF Committee.
3.3.3. The VFF Property Trust Board may approve any grant of up to $100,000
3.4 Eligibility assessment
The selection criteria for farmers to receive emergency funding from the VFF DRF are described below. In prioritising applications and assessment by each member of the Committee is averaged. Criteria are given equal weighting.
3.5 Severity of impact:
3.5.1. Prioritising farmers facing significant damage or loss due to emergencies, with a focus on those experiencing the most severe consequences.
3.5.2. For the purposes of determining emergency payments to farmers from the VFF DRF, the levels of damage are categorised as follows:
3.5.2.1. High level of damage:
– Severe and extensive destruction of agricultural assets, including crops, livestock, and infrastructure.
– Significant economic loss with a substantial impact on the farmer’s overall livelihood.
– Immediate and critical need for financial assistance to restore operations and address basic necessities.
3.5.2.2. Medium level damage:
– Noticeable damage to agricultural assets, crops, livestock, or infrastructure affecting productivity.
– Moderate economic loss that requires financial support for recovery and rehabilitation efforts.
– Urgent need to assistance to mitigate the impact on the farmer’s ability to sustain their farming operations.
3.5.2.3. Low level damage:
– Limited and manageable damage to specific aspects of the farming operation.
– Relatively minor economic loss that may impact certain aspects of the farming operation.
– Assistance needed for specific repairs or improvements to prevent further deterioration but not as urgently critical as higher levels.
– The categorisation considers the extent of destruction, economic impact, and urgency of assistance required. This framework helps the DRF Committee to assess the severity of the situation and determine appropriate emergency payments to farmers based on the observed levels of damage.
3.6 Vulnerability
3.6.1. Taking into account the vulnerability of farmers, including factors like age, health, and socio-economic circumstances, to identify those who may require additional support.
3.6.2. For the purposes of determining the needs of farmers to receive emergency funding from the VFF DRF, vulnerability levels are described below:
3.6.2.1. Highly vulnerable:
– Farmers facing extreme challenges, including health issues, advanced age, or other significant personal circumstances that amplify the impact of the emergency.
– Limited resources or support systems to cope with the crisis, making them particularly susceptible to prolonged hardship.
– Urgent and comprehensive financial assistance is crucial to address both the immediate and long-term needs of these farmers.
3.6.2.2. Vulnerable:
– Farmers with notable vulnerabilities, such as health concerns, economic fragility, or other circumstances that increase the difficulty of recovering from the emergency.
– Limited capacity to absorb losses or adapt to changing conditions without external support.
– Assistance is required to alleviate the specific challenges faced by these farmers and prevent further decline in their ability to sustain their farming operations.
3.6.2.3. Less vulnerable:
– Farmers facing challenges but possessing a greater capacity to absorb losses and recover independently.
– Adequate resources or support networks to navigate through the emergency without an immediate threat to the overall sustainability of their operations.
– Assistance may be targeted towards specific needs or improvements rather than urgent and comprehensive support.
3.6.3. These vulnerability descriptions assist the VFF DRF Committee in tailoring emergency funding to the specific needs of farmers based on their level of vulnerability, ensuring equitable and effective allocation of resources.
3.7 Documentation and assessment
3.7.1 Requiring thorough documentation and assessment of the reported damage and loss, ensuring transparency and accuracy in the allocation process. The following certainty descriptions guide the DRF Committee in evaluating the reliability of evidence provided by farmers and help ensure that emergency funding grants are allocated based on accurate and verifiable information.
3.7.2. For the determination of emergency funding grants from the Victorian Farmers Federation Disaster Release Relief Fund (DRF), the certainty of evidence and documentation is categorised into high, medium, and low degrees as follows:
3.7.2.1. High certainty
– Comprehensive and well-documented evidence of actual damage and urgent need.
– Clear, verifiable documentation supporting the extent of the damage, financial losses, and the immediate requirements of the farmer.
– Reliable sources, such as official reports, assessments, or third-party evaluations, contribute to a high level of confidence in the accuracy of the information.
3.7.2.2. Medium certainty
– Adequate documentation providing a reasonable level of assurance regarding the reported damage and need.
– While not as exhaustive as high certainty cases, there is sufficient evidence to support the farmer’s claims and validate the urgency of financial assistance.
– The documentation may include farmer statements, photographs, and initial assessments, contributing to a moderate level of confidence in the reported circumstances.
3.7.2.3. Low certainty
– Limited or less conclusive evidence of actual damage or need.
– Insufficient documentation that may raise questions about the accuracy or urgency of the reported situation.
– The DRF Committee may seek additional information or verification to increase certainty before allocating emergency funding.
3.8 Timeliness
3.8.1. Prioritising prompt assistance to farmers in immediate need, recognising the urgency of addressing emergency situations and providing timely relief.
3.8.2 For the purposes of determining the need for farmers to receive emergency funding from the VVFF DRF the urgency levels are described as follows:
3.8.3. These certainty descriptions guide the DRF Committee in evaluating the reliability of evidence provided by farmers and help ensure that emergency funding grants are allocated based on accurate and verifiable information.
3.8.3.1. Urgent:
– Immediate and critical need for financial assistance due to severe and pressing circumstances.
– Situations where delays in funding could exacerbate the impact on farmers’ well-being and ability to sustain their operations.
– Emergency situations requiring prompt intervention to address essential needs such as shelter, food, and urgent repairs.
3.8.3.2. Less urgent:
– Important situations where timely assistance is needed, but the immediate threat is not as severe.
– Funding is required within a reasonable timeframe to support recovery efforts and prevent further deterioration of the farming operation.
– While not immediate, delays in assistance may still have notable consequences on the farmer’s ability to resume normal operations.
3.8.3.3. Not urgent:
– Situations where the need for emergency funding is less time-sensitive and can be addressed over a more extended period.
– The farming operation may have experienced some challenges, but there is flexibility in the timeline for providing financial assistance.
– Funding can be allocated for planned improvements or longer-term recovery efforts rather than urgently required interventions.
3.8.4 These urgency descriptions help the DRF Committee to prioritise and allocate emergency funding based on the time sensitivity of the farmers’ needs and the severity of the situation.
4. Accountability
VFF Chair
VFF CEO
5. Related policies / procedures
Policy G2: Board Charter