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How you can help communities devastated by fires

How to help those who have lost everything in the bushfires. - by Laura Barry
  • 12 Nov 2019

Bushfires across the country have left a path of devastation in their wake, and are still yet to be brought under control. However, there are some ways we can help those who have been affected by the fires.

WATCH: An Australian woman rescues a koala from the bushfire flames

Donate to The Salvation Army Bushfire Disaster Appeal

The Salvation Army Emergency Services are currently active at evacuation centres and have launched The Bushfire Disaster Appeal with the aim of helping affected families through the recovery and rebuilding period to come. The website explains how your donations will be used.

  • $80 “can help to provide household essentials during an emergency.”
  • $125 “can help reach isolated families in an emergency.”
  • $250 “can help provide urgent immediate assistance, like food and shelter.”
  • $1,000 “can go towards ongoing care and support in the aftermath of the emergency.”

Donate to Vinnies

The St Vincent De Paul Society is also running a bushfire appeal to help those who have been devastated by the fires rebuild their lives with food, clothing, furniture, other essentials, and funds to pay bills. You can donate at a Vinnies store or online HERE. 

Help the wildlife

Sadly, initial reports of the Port Macquarie fires in NSW say that as many as 2000 koalas have perished in the bushfires. A GoFundMe page has been set up by the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital so volunteers can set up water stations for affected wildlife in the area and rehabilitation of injured animals. Call the 24 hour rescue hotline if you see or find sick or injured koalas on 6584 1522. While the organisation has already recieved more than $2 million in donations, Port Macquarie Koala Hospital is now also sharing funds with other wildlife rescue services across NSW, and you can donate to the cause HERE. 

If you want to help koalas in the mid-coast region, check out the Koalas in Care Facebook page who are asking for fire disaster donations to help wildlife, such as Napisan or equivalent, unscented washing powder, disposable gloves, cotton wool balls and tubes of pawpaw ointment. The drop off point is Taree Veterinary Hospital, 47 Chatham Ave, Chatham or contact the Facebook group for alternative options.

You can also donate to the NSW Wildlife Informations, Rescue and Educations Service HERE, which will allow staff to provide more assistance to injured wildlife of all species across the state. 

Port Macquarie Koala Hospital
Port Macquarie Koala Hospital

Donate to the Australian Red Cross

Donate to the Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery fund by donating online or via phone on 1800 811 700. The funds will go towards providing aid for those affected by fires, and helping devastated communities during the recovery period.

Support fire fighters

The NSW Fire Service and Brigades page has been created to drum up support for the people putting their lives on the line to fight the fires. You can donate money to the organisation via credit card, direct deposit, cheques and money orders. Donations are tax deductable. Get all the specific donation details on the website HERE.

Alternatively, you can donate to NSW Rural Fire Service directly via THIS LINK

You can also support firefighters in Victoria by donating to the CFA Brigades Donation Fund HERE

Contribute to Bottles for the Bush

Our farmers are facing the worst drought and the most dangerous bushfires in living memory. Some towns have been burnt to the ground already and others could run out of water by Christmas. The good news is that you can donate some of your empty drink containers at any TOMRA Recycling Location (Return and Earn in NSW and Containers for Change in QLD). Every eligible container donated raises 10c for Bottles for the Bush Appeal and all funds raised go to Rural Aid to support our farmers and rural communities in need.

Donate to Foodbank

Foodbank delivers emergency food supplies and water to East Gippsland, helping firefighters and local communities battling and recovering from the blazes. 

It is currently fundraising so the organisation can send about 5,000 food relief hampers in the coming days. Donate HERE. 

Support the Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund

Operated by local volunteers for Gippsland communities devastated by bushfire, donations can be made via Paypal at gerf.org.au, at NAB branches across Australia, or in person at Alan Wilson Insurance Brokers at 40 Argyle St, Traralgon.

Donate to the Bendigo Bank Bushfire Disaster Appeal

The Salvation Army has partnered with Bendigo Bank to raise money for fire-affected communities across East Gippsland, Hume, southeast New South Wales and Adelaide Hills.

You can make a donation HERE

Crowdfunding pages

Support communities by donating to the GoFundMe pages for CUDGEWA and MALLACOOTA.

Donate to the two campaigns Givit is currently running to support victims of the NSW and QLD fires. Donate HERE. 

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Laura Barry
Laura Barry
Laura Barry is a writer, bookworm and interior design enthusiast with a love for reporting on all things homes, travel and lifestyle. When not tapping away at her keyboard, Laura can be found making endless cups of tea or perusing the shelves of Sydney’s many bookstores.

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