Elanco general manager Hendrik Van Der Walt, left, with Rural Aid CEO John Warlters.

ANIMAL health company Elanco and national charity Rural Aid have entered an initial three-year financial partnership to help build the resilience of rural and regional Australia.

Elanco said it will support Rural Aid financially through annual donations and donation matching, team volunteering hours, and Elanco animal health product donations, as well as helping raise awareness of the services provided by Rural Aid.

Rural Aid chief executive officer John Warlters highlighted the importance of partnering with businesses that understand the short and long game of disaster relief.

“Disaster relief is so much more than waiting for the waters to subside.

“While response and recovery are key, preparedness and prevention strategies are where real change occurs,” he said.

“It’s the ongoing support of businesses like Elanco that allows us to plan and invest in new thinking to create meaningful change.

“The short term is survival, the long term is where we set Australia up as a resilient nation; it’s where we thrive.”

Elanco general manager Hendrik Van Der Walt said Rural Aid is Australia’s most trusted rural charity.

“We’re proud to come on board long-term to help the organisation provide response, recovery, prevention, and preparedness support for rural communities battling the effects of natural disasters.

“In our business, we focus on holistic, long-term animal health solutions; so, it was important for us to partner with an organisation that provides both immediate support for those in need, as well as investing in real, long-term change,” he said.

“Rural Aid knows the importance of being on the ground when natural disaster strikes, and they’re often the only lifeline for many of our brothers and sisters in rural and regional communities. And we’re proud to be right there with them.”

Elanco and Rural Aid are encouraging farmers to register with the following:

– faa.ruralaid.org.au to streamline assistance in times of disaster

– farmarmy.com.au to match required jobs with skilled volunteers