GIVIT urging support for drought relief in Dubbo, region

Despite a recent pattering of rain, Mr Barrett said people needed to remember 98.6 per cent of NSW was still in drought.

"People have been dealing with the drought for three or four years, up to half a dozen years for some people. Some people are saying 'we were prepared, we could have handled it for two or three years but we cant handle five or six'," Mr Barrett said.

"People are prioritising things and it means things some people are considering essential - things like new undies - are being forgotten, are being missed out on."

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The NSW government's Combined Drought Indicator shows 54.4 per cent of the Central West is still classified as being in drought. Another 44.2 per cent is drought affected and 1.4 per cent is still in intense drought.

The Dubbo local government area is spilt between being classified as drought and drought affected.

"We deal with way more than just the farmers, it's the entire community that's affected by the drought. It's business, it's through the local shops, the sporting clubs, the effect of the drought has been extremely far-reaching so we've been out trying to help all aspects of it," Mr Barrett said.

GIVIT's drought manager is urging ongoing support. He said in metro areas it wasn't in the forefront of people's mind like it was six or 12 months ago, but it was having a growing affect on those in the grips of it.

"They've been suffering and dealing with it for so long. Everyone is emotionally, physically and spiritually spent and it's getting worse before it gets better," Mr Barrett said.

The community has been encouraged to go on to the GIVIT website and put money towards a needed item.

Mr Barrett said there was no quintessential item that summed up what was needed. There was everything from cleaning products to business vouchers, he said.

"The people who have recognised that their country cousins are feeling the effects of this and have come forward, that's made a genuine difference. Just a $20 here or a $200 there, is making a real difference," he said.

GIVIT has coordinated the delivery of more than 23,000 items for drought relief. It's also supported 140 charities and community groups who work in drought regions.