This report is based on interviews with women from migrant and refugee backgrounds who were impacted by the flooding of the Maribyrnong river in 2022, and makes recommendations to improve disaster responses in the future.
This week we launched Our Community, Our Voice: Lessons from the 2022 Maribyrnong Flood. Thank you to everyone who attended the launch on Friday night!
On 14 October 2022, the Maribyrnong River broke its banks. The resulting flood was devastating for the community of Maribyrnong in Melbourne’s west; over 500 properties were affected by flooding. This report examines the impact of the flooding on this community, with a particular focus on the impact on women and children from migrant and refugee backgrounds.
Our Community, Our Voice tells the stories of women and their families in Maribyrnong who experienced flooding and outlines their experiences of the disaster response in 2022, as well as their attempts to recover and rebuild their lives in the aftermath.
The stories in this report show the profound need for disaster recovery, management and long-term preparation to be localised, gendered and intersectional.
We make recommendations to improve disaster planning, response and recovery in urban contexts and to ensure diverse communities are adequately prepared for the impacts of climate change and future disasters.
The report makes recommendations for councils, state government and support services. The recommendations have been informed directly by the experiences of the women impacted.
We want to extend a huge thank you to community members for generously sharing their time and stories with us. 10 courageous women shared their stories - voices not heard nearly enough, particularly at times of emergency. To each of the incredible women who recounted some of their most frightening moments and distressing experiences; thank you so much, we are so grateful. We dedicate this report to you.
The report is available in English and Vietnamese.
