Donate to help the Australian Bushfire Crisis

I know many of you around the world and many of us here in Australia feel powerless to do anything to help in this time of need.  Donating is something we can do.

There are so many amazing organisations who are working to fight fires and support those who have been impacted.  Here are some opportunities for giving to support the work. I may be biased a little towards those who have been working in NSW, as I’ve seen more of their work. Please feel free to mention other groups in the comments below.

Australia relies predominantly on volunteer firefighters reasons here Like the professionals they work alongside they are amazing – well trained, courageous, incredibly hard working.  In NSW you can donate to the RFS here –either to the Rural Fire Service organisation or to a local brigade if there is a specific one you want to support.  This money won’t be used to pay the volunteers but for equipment and training.

Some of the other states volunteer fire-fighting organisations are

Victoria – CFA Country Fire Association

Queensland – RFBAQ –Rural Fire Brigades Association Queensland

South Australia – CFS –Country Fire Service

Also on the front line are support organisations who manage evacuation centres and provide physical, financial and emotional support for those who are at risk of losing their homes or who already have lost their homes.

The Red Cross provide an amazing service as do

The Salvation Army also

St Vinnies

Wildlife has been severely impacted.  Heartbreakingly it is estimated over 480 million animals and birds have died.  Many have been severely burnt and so many habitats have been destroyed that this will have an on-going impact.  Our largest organisation working in this area is WIRES who had already been very involved before the most recent NYE fires.

The earlier fires in November and December destroyed large areas of koala habitats on the north coast of NSW.  A local specialist group has been working to save and heal injured koalas  –you can see their work here and donate here.

If you prefer to give things rather than cash the best way to do that is respond to specific requests.  GIVIT provides opportunities to give specific items to people who need them.

There is always something we can do to help others - even sharing a kind message of love and support is appreciated at these times. 

Photo from Menai NSW RFS Brigade FB page.