For further information on how you can help those affected by the bushfires, read our post here.
Australia’s media have reported on the bushfires daily for months now, but with more than 5 million hectares of land burned, an estimated 500 million animals and 24 people killed and more missing, the world cannot ignore it.
News organisations, leaders and celebrities have had to stand up and take notice. Here’s how the world is responding to the bushfires.
International media.
Photographer Matthew Abbott’s photo of a kangaroo fleeing the flames as a building burns in the background, taken in Lake Conjola, NSW, made front pages all over the world.
The photo appeared on The New York Times front page on January 1, and was seen on a number of British papers on January 2.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge wrote they were "shocked and deeply saddened to hear about the fires that are destroying homes, livelihoods and wildlife across much of Australia.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with all the people and communities who are affected by this devastating event. We send our deepest condolences to the families and friends of those who have tragically lost their lives, and the brave firefighters who continue to risk their own lives to save the lives of others."
Similarly, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex said their "thoughts and prayers are with those across Australia who are continuing to face the devastating fires that have been raging for months."
Meghan and Harry also called on their followers to help in the fight against climate change.
"From areas we are personally connected to such as the communities and people we visited in New South Wales in 2018, to the fires in California and parts of Africa, we are struck by the increasingly overlapping presence of these environmental disasters, including of course the destruction of the Amazon which continues.
"This global environmental crisis has now been described as Ecocide. It’s easy to feel helpless, but there’s always a way to help."
French President Emmanuel Macron said he had spoken to Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Sunday to offer French aid.
Since December, close to 100 Canadians have been deployed to Australia to help fire fighters, and Canadian foreign affairs minister François-Philippe Champagne said "I have communicated with my Australian counterpart to reiterate that we are prepared to provide further assistance as necessary."
Canadian PM Justin Trudeau reiterated the support in a tweet on Sunday.
Hugh Jackman, another Aussie, posted a photo of with links to organisations receiving donations, with the caption "How can you help?"
"Queer Eye" star Jonathan Van Ness wrote that his "heart has been broken these last days watching the situation deteriorate there...Go to the link in my bio & donate to Celeste Barber's Australia fundraiser & if you're in a position to donate that would be very much appreciated."
Nick Kroll teamed with Australian actor and filmmaker Joel Edgerton to raise money for the New South Wales Rural Fire Service to "combat the terrible fires ravaging Australia."
Simu Liu, who stars in Marvel's "Shang-Chi," which is filming in Australia, tweeted on Friday "a reminder that Australia is on fire and people are voluntarily risking their lives to keep communities and homes safe!"
As the fires continue to burn, the international community is only becoming more galvanised. It's a tragedy that's becoming harder and harder to ignore.
If you want to help, you can donate funds to the organisations below:
- The Australian Red Cross.
- The Salvation Army.
- State-based fire brigades like the NSW RFS and the Victorian CFA.
- Givit.
- Wires Wildlife Rescue.
- The Rescue Collective.
... And there's more.
Mamamia Out Loud, our bi-weekly podcast, is coming to Melbourne for a live show, with 100 per cent of all ticket proceeds going to the Australian Red Cross disaster relief and recovery fund.
It's a brand new show, full of laughs and news and opinions and a few special surprises, with Mia Freedman, Holly Wainwright and Jessie Stephens, on February the 11th. You can buy tickets right now at mamamia.com.au/events. See you there!
To support those affected by Australia's devastating bushfire crisis, you can donate to the Australian Red Cross disaster relief and recovery fund. Your money will go towards supporting thousands of people in evacuation centres, emergency assistance including cash grants to people who have lost their homes, psychological first aid, and helping communities prepare for future disaster.
Top Comments
Kudos to those who have contributed money to Australia, not so much the platitudes from Harry and Meghan who fly around the world on private jets. Pity Australia didn't have a gas pipeline hooked up to Russia so we could take a high moral stand like Germany about not burning coal.
Yes, but the Duke and Duchess of Privacy and Modernising the Monarchy (TM) are "personally connected" to the people in NSW. They suffer with us!