Australia's Wildfires: What You Need to Know and How You Can Help
Australia’s hot, arid climate often results in fire seasons, so the country has combatted these types of emergency before. However, conditions are particularly bad this year: The weather in Australia has been especially hot, hitting records for some of the most intense heatwaves in certain regions. Additionally, Australia is experiencing a severe drought, so fires that start through man-made or natural causes like dry lightning have been extremely hard to put out.
How much damage has been done?
There have already been massive casualties. According to CNET, at least 20 people have died and more than 1,500 homes have suffered severe damage since September. Additionally, nearly 30 more people have been reported missing in the Victoria area at the beginning of the year. More than thousands of people have been left homeless, and that number is only expected to go up as millions of acres of land have been scorched.
The environmental toll the fires have taken seems to be immeasurable, and the full effects still aren’t known. Entire towns have been destroyed and in natural environments, more than 8,000 koalas have been killed.
How people are helping.
A lot of celebrities have been focusing their energy on raising awareness and also donating funds to efforts to combat the fires. Pink tweeted that she was donating “$500,000 directly to the local fire services that are battling so hard on the frontlines” over the weekend, while Australian natives Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban donated half a million dollars to fire services after learning that one of their houses is under threat of being destroyed.
What can you do to help?
While celebrities are making donations, Australia can use help from across the globe. Kidman and Urban listed several fire services that accept donations and there are several others. If you’re looking to contribute, you can contact:
New South Wales Rural Fire Service: The organization is accepting financial contributions, as well as donations for the families of volunteer firefighters who lost their lives in the fires.
Australian Red Cross Disaster Recovery and Relief: Donations go to recovery programs, emergency assistance, community preparation, training of volunteers, and more.
Salvation Army Disaster Appeal: Financial contributions help provide meals and support to first responders in the crisis.
World Wildlife Fund Australia: The organization protects species in the region and is especially dedicated to koala conversation.
St. Vincent de Paul Society: Your donations go to food for families who have been evacuated and supplies for anyone who has lost their home.