It took 34 hours on an uncertain journey with many blocked bridges and flooded highways, but these four volunteers managed to make it to the flood-ravaged community of Lismore in NSW.
Fuelled by faith, not-for-profit organisation Sikh Volunteers Australia first travelled from their home base in Melbourne to Woolgoolga, a small NSW town south of Lismore, to provide food to displaced Australians who have been forced to evacuate their homes.
But after noticing more support was needed up north, they packed their bags and hopped into the van again.
With the Pacific Highway blocked and routes disrupted, it took them a day-and-a-half to reach their final destination: Lismore.
It took Sikh Volunteers Australia an extended period of time to arrive in northern NSW. Credit: Supplied/Sikh Volunteers Australia
When Mr Singh was speaking to SBS News on the phone, he said he could see a line of 30 people waiting to receive a free meal from his team.
On the menu is soya curry and rice cooked with Indian herbs and "spiced to perfection", Mr Singh said.
While the project was led by only four volunteers, Mr Singh expects more people to arrive in Lismore to assist the community.
"We are just four [people] but once the operation is being fully set up, we will call more volunteers from Melbourne."
Hunger relief organisation Foodbank is organising crisis hampers to be sent out across the affected suburbs along northern NSW and south-east Queensland.
"We will be urgently packing our crisis hampers and getting them to the front line as quickly as we can, and financial donations means we can source food to make these," Foodbank NSW said.
The Australian Red Cross has set up services at various evacuation centres to assist victims with psychological support.
It has also established an online portal for flood-affected residents to register their details to alert their disconnected loved ones they are alive and safe.
Heavy wind, rain and flooding has led to unprecedented rising waters, devastating thousands of Queensland and NSW homes and claiming the lives of 14 people so far.
Authorities are fearing the figure will rise as the emergency rescue mission continues.
While clean-up efforts begin in some parts of Queensland, the worst is yet to come for Sydney with currently evacuation orders in place for 31 areas across NSW.
For emergency assistance, contact SES in NSW or QLD on 132 500. If your life is at risk, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
