The Australian Prime Minister has announced a funding boost of more than a billion euro to help tackle the wildfire crisis.
24 people are known to have died and while there has been rain and cooler temperatures, it’s expected to get much hotter again later this week.
More than half a million people from across the globe have pledged more than $30 million to the NSW RFS through the Australian comedian Celeste Barber’s Facebook fundraiser.
This is incredible.
Power to the people. https://t.co/HHemX5P3KM pic.twitter.com/c4CYys3Qy7— Celeste barber (@celestebarber_) January 5, 2020
Here in Dublin, proceeds from the Ireland Australia Association 2020 Galah Ball will go to aid the relief efforts in Australia.
The annual celebration of Australia Day weekend on January 25 will be a great night of “Aussie craic” with a Down Under style menu and some excellent Aussie beers and wines. It will be a great opportunity for Australian’s and their mates to come together at this time as an Aussie community abroad and support friends and family back home. Grab your tickets now on www.irelandaustralia.ie/events
There are also many ways you can help those fighting and those impacted by the bushfires. Here are 8 organisations you can donate to:
1. Australian Red Cross Disaster Recovery and Relief
The Red Cross supports a variety of efforts such as supporting people at evacuation centres and providing emergency assistance like cash grants to people who have lost their homes
2. Salvation Army Disaster Appeal
Salvation Army team members are providing meals to first-line responders and evacuees, as well as any other support needed, says Major Topher Holland, the organisation’s General Manager of Strategic Emergency and Disaster Management.
3. St Vincent de Paul Society Bushfire Appeal (NSW)
Vinnies’ bushfire appeal helps provide food, clothing and money that bushfire victims may need to pay their bills.
4. NSW Rural Fire Service
You can either donate straight to the NSW RFS or to your local Rural Fire Brigade to support volunteer firefighters.
5. Country Fire Authority (CFA), Victoria
Like the NSW RFS, you can donate either to a specific brigade or provide a general donation.
6. The Victorian Bushfire Appeal
The Victorian Government teamed up with The Salvation Army and Bendigo Bank for the appeal, with all funds going to communities in need.
7. The Port Macquarie Koala Hospital
The organisation has a GoFundMe page that seeks funding for Koalas affected by the bushfires.
8. WIRES
NSW Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service (WIRES) rescues and cares for animals and is seeking donations for volunteer carers and recuers that are “indundated” with them amid the bushfires.
