About $1.3 million of drought relief payments from the SA Country Women's Association Emergency Aid Fund have been paid out to farming families across the state, of a total $2.4 million donated to the fund since August last year.
Red Cross has contributed $1.2 million to the appeal, with the rest of the donations coming from association branches, the general public, schools, churches, Coles supermarkets and other groups.
SACWA state treasurer Sharyn Muller said a partnership with the Rural Business Support Rural Financial Counselling Service team had allowed for distribution of funds to where they were needed.
"RBS are on the ground, doing the applications on our behalf and sending them to us, then SACWA processes it all and gets the money out," she said.
Just because we're seeing a bit of green about the place doesn't mean the pressure is off.
- BRETT SMITH
The entire RFCS team from across SA converged on the SACWA headquarters in Adelaide on Wednesday morning to hear from SACWA about how the funds had been distributed..
Nearly 600 drought-stricken families have been paid out up to $3000 each, with the money being used for household expenses such as food, utilities, clothing and shelter.
RBS chief executive officer Brett Smith said despite rain falling across the state during May, the negative impacts of the drought would still exist for a considerable period.
"Just because we're seeing a bit of green about the place doesn't mean the pressure is off - many are still in financial drought and won't receive a decent income again until harvest come October or November," he said.
Mr Smith said the payments were being gratefully received from farmers.
"We're getting so many comments from overwhelmed and sincerely grateful farmers about the immediate financial relief these funds are providing but, more importantly, it's reassuring our resilient rural families that that they haven't been forgotten."
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Ms Muller said the rate of applications for payments was not slowing down, and she urged people to continue donating to the fund.
"The donated funds are not going to last long when we're getting 50 applications a week for $3000 each," she said.
"We hope South Australians will continue digging deep to help SACWA ensure that those families who have been so doggedly trying to avoid having to ask for help, can reach out for a helping hand to get them through these tough times."
All donations are paid out to farmers, with SACWA bearing all administration costs.
Click here to make a donation to the fund, or visit ruralbusinesssupport.org.au to be connected to a rural financial counsellor.
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