When Tropical Cyclone Alfred formed in the Coral Sea in February 2025, no one expected the scale of impact it would leave across communities from Hervey Bay down to northern New South Wales. Alfred intensified to a Category 4 severe tropical cyclone, weakened and re‑strengthened several times, and eventually made landfall as a tropical low on 8 March. Once inland and downgraded, the system intensified in impact - not in wind strength, but in rainfall and flooding.
Now, well into 2026, recovery is still far from over. The long‑term impacts of Alfred continue to shape daily life for many families, reinforcing why GIVIT’s role remains critical long after the immediate emergency has passed. Our mission has stayed the same: turning generosity into practical, targeted support that reaches the right people, at the right time, in the way they need it most.
How your donations helped impacted communities
In early March 2025, GIVIT was activated by the Queensland and New South Wales Governments to manage donations of essential goods and services for people impacted by Tropical Cyclone Alfred. This included parts of South-East Queensland and Northern New South Wales where many of these communities experienced multiple extreme weather events in recent years resulting in compounding financial hardship.
GIVIT’s strong local presence and network of partner organisations across Southeast Queensland and Northern New South Wales meant that mobilisation happened quickly, with GIVIT providing more than 13,000 essential items and services in the month following the event. This strong footprint also meant it was quicker and easier for people impacted by the event to access support through GIVIT.
GIVIT's Sarah and Andrew with Ronan from Redland Community Centre.
Here's what we've achieved so far
The team from Redland Community Centre with Sarah from GIVIT, with some of the pillows kindly donated by Hanes Australasia.
Fresh linen lightens the load
In the wake of Tropical Cyclone Alfred, mould damage left many NSW and QLD residents without usable bedding. GIVIT's Partner Hanes Australasia responded with a donation of over 500 pillows and bed linen items, delivered to neighbourhood centres for people in need.
Ronan Wicks, the General Manager of Redland Community Centre, who received some of the donated items shared: "It's crazy how we take for granted a towel. We take for granted a bed sheet, but these things keep you warm at night when you're scared, when you're sad, when you're lonely. You get into bed, you have a fresh sheet and it makes such an impact. It's something that you've given back to that community, our community, and it's an amazing support that you're able to provide."
Keeping rough sleepers safe during the cyclone
When the cyclone hit northern NSW, one of the biggest concerns was keeping people experiencing homelessness safe. This was especially urgent because four of the five NSW local government areas with the highest homelessness rates - Byron, Coffs Harbour, Lismore and Tweed - were directly in the cyclone’s path.
Local services worked quickly to move individuals into temporary accommodation before the worst of the storm arrived. But because people couldn’t take their belongings with them, many returned to find what little they owned destroyed by wind, rain and flooding.
As temporary accommodation periods ended, many people were forced back into rough sleeping, unable to secure social housing or private rentals in an already stretched market.
To support them through this next stage of recovery, generous donations provided tents and sleepings bags to help people stay safe, dry and connected while they rebuild their lives.
Further north in Brisbane, donations to GIVIT provided a generator to homelessness service Emmanuel City Mission to ensure the city’s rough sleepers had a safe place to go during the cyclone. This allowed Emmanuel City Mission to remain open 24/7, giving people experiencing homelessness a safe place to shelter from extreme weather.
The team at Emmanuel City Mission with their donated generator.
This resilient mum was proud to turn her house into a home with new beds and bedside tables.
Helping a brave mum start again
After escaping domestic violence and sexual assault with her three children, this mum was doing everything she could to rebuild her life while managing the significant mental health impacts of trauma. With limited support and very few resources, she was trying her best to care for her kids on her own, including one child with special needs who required extra attention and stability.
Against all odds, she finally secured safe housing - a moment that should have marked the beginning of a calmer, more hopeful chapter. But when Tropical Cyclone Alfred hit, the home she had fought so hard to create was damaged, along with much of the furniture the family relied on every day. It was a heartbreaking setback for them.
Thanks to generous donors, she received new beds and bedside tables, helping her create a warm, welcoming and comfortable space for her children to rest, feel safe and begin to heal.
New carpets for a vulnerable family
The carpet in a vulnerable family’s home was destroyed by water after their roof was damaged. Unable to afford to replace the carpet, they lived with the deteriorating carpet for months, with their children experiencing health problems as a result. Thanks to our generous donors, GIVIT coordinated new carpet for the home.
The recipient, supported by Kingston East Neighbourhood Group (KENG), shared: "My family and I want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the new carpet. Our old carpet had become wet and mouldy because rain got into our Logan home through the leaking roof during ex cyclone Alfred. My children were getting sick and my daughter was constantly coughing. We could not afford to replace the wet carpet. We are so grateful to you for sponsoring the replacement of the carpet with a new one!"
GIVIT's Andrew with Maureen and Katherine from KENG.
Removing a hidden threat after the storm
A single mum and her two young sons were among those hardest hit by Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Ferocious winds and rising floodwaters swept across their property, causing extensive damage to their home and land.
But the greatest danger lay in what the storm left behind. Cyclonic winds scattered foreign plant seeds across their property, and the highly toxic Gympie‑Gympie plant took hold. After being stung twice - with the risk of a third sting potentially fatal - this mum thought she would have to live with painful, long‑lasting skin damage and the constant fear of further exposure.
Thanks to the kindness of GIVIT donorsy, this family received garden maintenance services to help eliminate the toxic plant.
The grateful mum shared: "This support has turned my life around. Life in Springbrook is challenging, it is a kilometer above sea level in the rainforest, an hour's drive from the shops, full of leeches, ticks, spiders, dangerous plants and reptiles. Extra money to get those extra jobs done after a cyclone is so helpful. I’m smiling again."
Before: the property was damaged by the cyclone and covered with the spread of the toxic Gympie-Gympie plant.
After: the donation of garden services restored the property to safe conditions.
Supporting young parents through the long recovery after disaster
Brave Foundation plays a vital role in supporting young parents to navigate pregnancy, parenthood and pathways to education, employment and stability. When Tropical Cyclone Alfred struck, many of the young families they work with lost essential items, faced disrupted routines and were suddenly dealing with the added pressure of displacement, financial strain and damaged homes. Thanks to kind donations, GIVIT provided Brave Foundation with practical, immediate support that helped these families regain safety, mobility and a sense of control during an incredibly challenging time.
With donor‑funded items such as fuel vouchers, families could travel to medical appointments, childcare, work and essential services despite widespread infrastructure damage. Car seats ensured babies and toddlers could be transported safely, while pharmacy items, clothing and household goods helped families replace what was lost and meet their day‑to‑day needs. Access to laptops allowed young parents to stay connected to education, employment programs and support networks, and prescription glasses ensured individuals could continue studying, working and caring for their children without interruption.
GIVIT’s partnership with Brave Foundation ensured that support reached families quickly, respectfully and in ways that genuinely strengthened their recovery. As communities continue to rebuild after Cyclone Alfred, this practical assistance has helped young parents regain confidence, independence and hope for the future.
Tamara Macintosh from Brave Foundation shared:
"Thanks to your generosity, these young families have been able to begin rebuilding their lives. Their homes were significantly impacted by Tropical Cyclone Alfred, forcing them to relocate and start over. Your support enabled them to purchase the essential items needed to establish safe, secure, and comfortable homes once again. This assistance provided not only practical help but also much‑needed hope and stability during an incredibly challenging time.
Without your kindness and commitment to supporting community recovery, these families would not be where they are today. Their contribution has made a meaningful and lasting impact, for which these families will be forever grateful."
Standing with Queensland and New South Wales for the long road ahead after Tropical Cyclone Alfred
Communities across Queensland and New South Wales have shown incredible resilience in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Alfred. But recovery from a disaster of this scale takes time. Homes have been damaged, families displaced, and many people are still navigating the emotional and practical challenges of rebuilding their lives.
GIVIT will continue supporting affected communities for as long as we’re needed, ensuring help reaches the people who need it most, when they need it most.
To every donor whose generosity has already made a difference - thank you. Your kindness is helping families in QLD and NSW take their first steps toward recovery, and it will continue to bring comfort, dignity and hope in the months ahead.
National Disaster and Emergency Partners
Donate goods & services to people impacted by Tropical Cyclone Alfred
Here are some of the real items urgently needed right now by people impacted by Tropical Cyclone Alfred
