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Minister for the Third Sector Phil Hope has praised the work of volunteers involved in the emergency response to this summer's floods on a visit to Oxford, where he learned about the wide range of services provided by voluntary organisations to help those affected.
Accommodation, rest centres, transport, ambulances, clothing, first aid and help with evacuation were among the services provided by the British Red Cross, St John Ambulance, the Women's Institute, the Women's Royal Voluntary Service and Oxfam, who worked alongside staff from Oxfordshire county and district councils, the ambulance service and the fire service.
At County Hall, the minister was briefed on the local response to this summer's events. Accompanied by the council's emergency planners and local volunteers, he then visited Kassam Stadium – where the emergency accommodation centre was set up during the flooding – to learn about the challenges faced by voluntary organisations who were involved on the ground with the relief operation.
The Red Cross and the Women's Institute provided more than 200 volunteers at the stadium, who offered practical and emotional support, transport, day care, therapeutic care and humanitarian support to those affected by the floods.
The Minister then returned to Oxford to visit some of the city streets worst affected by flood water, and was shown parts of Osney and Abingdon Road by local volunteers.
Phil Hope Minister for the Third Sector said:
“It is inspiring to see the extent of cooperation there has been in the local community to support those affected by flooding. Too often charities and volunteers do not get the profile they deserve in situations like these, and I would like to thank local voluntary sector organisations for their efforts throughout the flooding. They were among the first to offer help, providing food, shelter and compassion for those affected.
“The Government is working closely with local authorities to get a clear assessment of damage in the area and has already issued more than £1 million to support flooding recovery in the county. We are also listening to the experiences of the volunteers and charities who helped this summer so we can learn from the experience for the future. An independent review of the floods has been announced, headed by Sir Michael Pitt, and I urge those affected by the flooding and involved in the relief operation to contribute their views to the review.”
More details of the review are available from the Flooding Lessons Learned Review website.