How to Help Victims of Australia’s Fires
Want to donate to aid wildfire victims in Australia? Here are groups assisting people affected by the recent bushfires
Hundreds of wildfires in Australia that began in September 2019 have killed at least 26 people and destroyed more than 1,800 homes. About 15 million acres have burned, mostly in the southeastern states of New South Wales and Victoria, regions that have seen years of devastating drought. Native wildlife has been hit particularly hard. Hundreds of millions of animals may have perished, according to some estimates.
Bushfire smoke in New South Wales on Dec. 6, 2019. Photo by VirtualWolf via Flickr
International Fund for Animal Welfare. This group focuses on rescuing and rehabilitating wild and domestic animals. It is taking donations online to help feed wildlife and support veterinary care for animals affected by the bushfires. Info
New South Wales Rural Fire Service. This fire agency has set up bank accounts to help the families of volunteer firefighters who have been killed while on duty this fire season. Info
Port Macquarie Koala Hospital. The hospital’s GoFundMe account is raising money to build and deploy drinking stations for koalas affected by the fires. In addition, funds will go to the Wildlife Water Drinking Stations project and to help establish the Wild Koala Breeding Program after the fires. Info
Rural Fire Brigades Association Queensland. This association of all-volunteer fire brigades of Queensland state is supported by grants and donations. Online donations provide services, tools and resources for the brigades. Info
The Salvation Army. Salvation Army teams have been deployed in multiple areas devastated by the bushfires, providing meals and support to evacuees and first responders. Donations support workers on-site during the disasters and while communities recover. Info
International Fund for Animal Welfare. This group focuses on rescuing and rehabilitating wild and domestic animals. It is taking donations online to help feed wildlife and support veterinary care for animals affected by the bushfires. Info
New South Wales Rural Fire Service. This fire agency has set up bank accounts to help the families of volunteer firefighters who have been killed while on duty this fire season. Info
Port Macquarie Koala Hospital. The hospital’s GoFundMe account is raising money to build and deploy drinking stations for koalas affected by the fires. In addition, funds will go to the Wildlife Water Drinking Stations project and to help establish the Wild Koala Breeding Program after the fires. Info
Rural Fire Brigades Association Queensland. This association of all-volunteer fire brigades of Queensland state is supported by grants and donations. Online donations provide services, tools and resources for the brigades. Info
The Salvation Army. Salvation Army teams have been deployed in multiple areas devastated by the bushfires, providing meals and support to evacuees and first responders. Donations support workers on-site during the disasters and while communities recover. Info
Satellite image of smoke from bushfires northwest of Sydney in November. Photo courtesy of the European Space Agency, via Flickr
Save the Children. This organization supports children during disasters by providing child-friendly safe spaces, giving parents the chance to access support, recover possessions and begin to recover otherwise. After the bushfires have passed, donations to the group will help it continue to work with affected children for months to come. Info
St. Vincent de Paul Society. The organization’s workers are on-site providing immediate support to fire survivors. Donations help them provide food, clothing and other essential items. Info
Victorian Bushfire Appeal. The state of Victoria has partnered with a local bank and the Salvation Army to establish a fund to support communities affected by the fires. It is accepting donations through the Community Enterprise Foundation. Funds will be used to provide direct relief and recovery in fire-affected areas. Info
WIRES. The New South Wales Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service is Australia’s largest wildlife rescue organization. It’s taking donations via Facebook to help rescue and care for native animals affected by the bushfires. The group says its volunteers attended more than 3,300 rescues during the fires in December. Info
World Vets. This U.S.-based international veterinary aid organization brings veterinary services to underserved areas of the world and provides training, education and disaster response services. Its Australian team is assisting local vets with injured wildlife, livestock and domestic animals. The group has set up an emergency fund; donations will fund purchases of veterinary supplies like burn creams, fluids, pain medications and bandages. Info
Zoos Victoria. This nonprofit organization is raising money through its Bushfire Emergency Wildlife Fund. It’s collaborating with the country’s Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning to determine how to effectively use the funds to assist animals and their habitat affected by the fires. Donations will fund emergency veterinary care and postfire feeding efforts to help surviving animals whose habitats were destroyed. Info
These are just some of the groups providing assistance to victims of the fires. Use caution when donating money to groups. Charity Navigator evaluates and rates charitable groups, and the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance also offers guidance. In addition, the Australian government’s Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission has a charity register.
More on Houzz
How to Protect Your Home From Wildfire
How to Prepare Your Family for a Natural Disaster
How to Save What’s Priceless When Disaster Strikes
Save the Children. This organization supports children during disasters by providing child-friendly safe spaces, giving parents the chance to access support, recover possessions and begin to recover otherwise. After the bushfires have passed, donations to the group will help it continue to work with affected children for months to come. Info
St. Vincent de Paul Society. The organization’s workers are on-site providing immediate support to fire survivors. Donations help them provide food, clothing and other essential items. Info
Victorian Bushfire Appeal. The state of Victoria has partnered with a local bank and the Salvation Army to establish a fund to support communities affected by the fires. It is accepting donations through the Community Enterprise Foundation. Funds will be used to provide direct relief and recovery in fire-affected areas. Info
WIRES. The New South Wales Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service is Australia’s largest wildlife rescue organization. It’s taking donations via Facebook to help rescue and care for native animals affected by the bushfires. The group says its volunteers attended more than 3,300 rescues during the fires in December. Info
World Vets. This U.S.-based international veterinary aid organization brings veterinary services to underserved areas of the world and provides training, education and disaster response services. Its Australian team is assisting local vets with injured wildlife, livestock and domestic animals. The group has set up an emergency fund; donations will fund purchases of veterinary supplies like burn creams, fluids, pain medications and bandages. Info
Zoos Victoria. This nonprofit organization is raising money through its Bushfire Emergency Wildlife Fund. It’s collaborating with the country’s Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning to determine how to effectively use the funds to assist animals and their habitat affected by the fires. Donations will fund emergency veterinary care and postfire feeding efforts to help surviving animals whose habitats were destroyed. Info
These are just some of the groups providing assistance to victims of the fires. Use caution when donating money to groups. Charity Navigator evaluates and rates charitable groups, and the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance also offers guidance. In addition, the Australian government’s Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission has a charity register.
More on Houzz
How to Protect Your Home From Wildfire
How to Prepare Your Family for a Natural Disaster
How to Save What’s Priceless When Disaster Strikes
Australian Red Cross. Red Cross teams have been responding to the recent bushfires with teams of volunteers and staff supporting thousands of evacuees. Donations help fund recovery and emergency assistance to disaster victims. Info
Country Fire Authority. This volunteer community-based fire and emergency services organization in the state of Victoria is taking donations specifically in relation to the fires as well as donations to the Victorian Disaster Appeal fund. Info
Country Fire Service Foundation. This group provides financial help to volunteer firefighters and their families who’ve lost family members or property in the bushfires. Info
Direct Relief. This humanitarian aid group provides medical support during disasters. Its staff in Australia is working with local authorities and residents affected by the fires, delivering emergency medical supplies, including thousands of N-95 masks, which are designed to keep tiny particles from getting into lungs and airways. Info
Givit. This nonprofit supports Australian agencies by connecting donors with those in need. Online monetary donations will be used to purchase essential items for fire victims. Info
GlobalGiving. This group connects nonprofits, donors and companies around the world. It has established the Australian Wildfire Relief Fund to support recovery and relief efforts for Australians affected by the bushfires. Donations will help first responders see to victims’ needs for food, fuel, water and shelter, and will transition to support longer-term recovery. Info
GoFundMe. The online fundraising platform has several campaigns taking donations to help individuals, communities and wildlife affected by the bushfires. Info