ECCV is working with Victoria’s regional ethnic councils and peak bodies to support communities in regions affected by the October 2022 floods and integrate multicultural communities into local emergency management responses for future emergencies. 

Community-led, locally-based initiatives and culturally responsive engagement with multicultural communities are critical to supporting emergency preparedness, response, and recovery in regional Victoria. 

The Multicultural Regional Emergency Preparedness & Response Program aims to embed engagement of multicultural communities within the regional local emergency management response and strengthen and support the vital work of local community leaders to help deliver better outcomes during any emergency management response, such as floods, bushfires and other natural disasters. 

The program continues work that began during the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to improved coordination of on-the-ground support for regional migrant communities. ECCV worked with regional ethnic councils and the Victorian Multicultural Commission to establish multicultural working groups, and connect the councils with the local regional incident management teams, improving communication and service delivery to local communities. 

ECCV is coordinating the development of regional working groups and supporting our regional partners have a seat at the table in local emergency response to help respond to the needs of their local communities in future emergencies. 

The program will also help provide education and build awareness regarding emergency management preparedness and response among regional multicultural communities. 

The initiative builds on our broader work with Victorian Council of Social Service (VCOSS) on the award-winning Multicultural Resilience Project and Multicultural Emergency Management Parntership (MEMP), which is building community resilience and embedding inclusive practices in emergency management in Victoria. 

Our partners in this program are: 

• Albury-Wodonga Ethnic Communities’ Council Inc
• Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council
• Ethnic Council of Shepparton and District
• Cultura (Geelong)
• Gippsland Multicultural Services
• Loddon Campaspe Multicultural Services
• Neighbourhood Collective Australia
• Regional Victorians of Colour
• Sunraysia Mallee Ethnic Communities Council