The Australian bushfires are now the largest in history and will go on for months unless significant rainfalls. Unfortunately, the weather forecasts
predict very little rain in the near future.
Lives have been lost, homes and business have been destroyed and thousands of people are stranded or in limbo, as fires burn in parts of Victoria, New South Wales (NSW), South Australia, Tasmania and Western Australia.
To give you an understanding of the size of these fires, the NSW fires alone are the size of the United Kingdom and the Victorian fires are approaching the size of Ireland.
There are currently 2,000 firefighters fighting 350 fires burning across Australia with more expected to flare up after lightning storms over the last few days.
Many people want to know how they can help with cash donations.
Unfortunately, there are unscrupulous people that are taking advantage of this disaster. So, here are the credible charities recommended by our Asia Pacific Fire Magazine editor in Sydney, Neil Bibby.
Neil has not listed all the charities available; these are his recommendations
based on 46 years in the fire industry.
To support firefighters: Rural Fire Service and the Emergency Services
Foundation… www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/about-us/fundraising and cesf.giveeasy.org/say-thanks-to-our-emergency-services-workers
To support the community: Red Cross and the Salvation Army you can donate to support Red Cross’ disaster relief and recovery work here… www.salvationarmy.org.au/donate/make-a-donation/donate-online/appeal=disasterappeal
To support wildlife, pets and farm animals: www.rspcansw.org.au/bushfire-appeal and https://www.wires.org.au/donate/emergency-fund
All charities have been benefiting from the wonderful support from around the world, however, they are pleading to those that want to help to send cash only, warehouses are slowing filling with well-intended gifts. The management of these items is overwhelming the charities and they are asking for cash only donations. Unfortunately, a large amount of these physical gifts will go to landfill.
Finally, please don’t cancel your holiday to Australia. Most of the main tourist sites are clear of the fires and where they are impacted, there are easy workarounds with very little planning required.
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