Eighteen months into its grants and recovery program following the devastating Black Summer bushfires, the Australian Red Cross says 93 per cent of the $242 million raised has been disbursed or spent.
National Emergency Services Manager Andrew Coghlan says Australians responded with unparalleled generosity in the face of the widespread losses.
"Our long experience in disasters shows us that recovery can take a very long time and well after the cameras and the world's attention moves on, we remain on the ground, working to support communities' aspirations," Mr Coghlan said on Monday.
He says the Red Cross has been regularly reporting on how donations have been used while there has also been a favourable independent review of its efforts.
As of June 30, the charity had given out 13,260 financial assistance grants to more than 6000 people.
Of $242 million raised, $224 million has been disbursed or spent and the remaining $18 million has been allocated for further grants as part of a three-year recovery program.
Some 40,107 people were assisted with recovery through one-on-one and group support, training, workshops, information and referrals.
Communities in 46 local government areas in NSW, Queensland, South Australia and Victoria have been supported by the recovery program.
Less than five per cent of monies collected have been spent on administrative support costs.
The Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund was independently audited by Deloitte, as part of the Australian Red Cross FY19/20 annual report.
