What is happening in Australia is heartbreaking. If you don’t know what’s happening. Here’s a few articles you can read.
- Australia’s deadly wildfires are showing no signs of stopping. Here’s what you need to know
- Australian bushfires: Everything we know and how you can help
- “Australia fires: A visual guide to the bushfire crisis”
How to help?
In the past I have not shared important things because I felt like I could say the wrong thing or misinform people. Yesterday’s response to my post showed many of us feel the same way. We all want to help and often we don’t know how.
Best way to help at this time is through donations to the organisations & services who are helping in the firefighting and recovery efforts but there are also many non-monetary ways we can help.
I’ve gathered a few ways we can help with links below.
Australia’s Red Cross {link to donate}
We’re supporting people at several evacuation centres in Victoria as well as in New South Wales and South Australia. We’re also preparing to distribute emergency grants to people who have lost homes to the bushfires across the country.
Australia’s Red Cross
The NSW Rural Fire Service {link to donate}
To support the firefighting efforts in New South Wales.
The Salvation Army {link to donate}
“Our teams are providing meals to evacuees and frontline responders, and will continue to provide whatever support is needed as the situation develops,”
Major Topher Holland, General Manager Strategic Emergency and Disaster Management.
Country Fire Authority {link to donate}
Victoria’s rural firefighting service.
The Country Fire Service in South Australia {link to donate}
Rural Fire Brigades Association Queensland INC {link to donate}
To help support firefighters in the state of Queensland.
Foodbank Australia {link to donate}
Foodbank is the only food relief organisation to play a role in times of emergency and natural disasters such as fires, floods and cyclones. Every State and Territory Foodbank is involved in disaster relief, providing essential supplies to support the work of first responders and emergency services as well as giving ongoing assistance to affected communities during the months and years it takes to recover
Foodbank
WIRES {link to donate}
WIRES wildlife rescue is the largest wildlife rescue and rehabilitation charity in Australia. It is a non-profit organisation providing rescue and rehabilitation for all native Australian fauna.
The RSPCA bushfire appeal {link to donate}
Used to protect the pets, livestock and wildlife affected by bushfires, helping evacuate animals from disaster zones.
Port Macquarie Koala Hospital {link to donate}
The hospital has already raised in excess of $2 million through their GoFundMe to help search for and protect the koalas in the region, due to the overwhelming support they will also be able to establish a Wild Koala Breeding Program.
Fundraiser for The Trustee for NSW Rural Fire Service & Brigades Donations Fund by Celeste Barber · {link to donate}
In less that 24 hours the Australian actor and comedian has raised over $3 million!
Donating 100% off profits
Many businesses are donating 100% of their profits for specific dates.
Here’s a list of the brands that came up on my feed joining this amazing initiative.
Buy a T-Shirt
Melbourne influencer Mitchell Orval is donating 100% of all proceeds of this T-Shirt sale to the people affected.
Non-monetary ways we can help
Spread awareness
For people like me that don’t watch or read the news, socials is a great way to generate awareness, if it wasn’t for my IG stories I wouldn’t have I realised how severe the situation was. Sharing on your socials is a great way to help.
Content creators like @helloemilie & @christinamacpherson are great examples of using your voice and generating awareness.
Givit {link to help}
This is a not-for-profit organisation, you can find on their website a list of items that are needed (mattresses, bedding, etc). You can also donate money through their page.
Support small businesses
Check out @buyfromthebush for a selection of beautiful things to buy from rural communities facing drought.
Offer housing
Airbnb – Open homes {link to help}
Airbnb has established an emergency housing site for those displaced by the bushfires via its Open Homes initiative. You can book free accommodation in certain areas of New South Wales and Victoria.
Find a bed {link to help}
Similar to Airbnb Find a bed allows people to offer up a bed or locate a bed in NSW, Victoria and South Australia.
Ecosia {link to browse}
Run your online searches through Ecosia, which uses profits to plant trees where they’re needed most. Trees help reduce the carbon dioxide load. It can be added to Chrome.
Sign a Change.org petition {link to sign}
Sign this petition calling on the NSW Government to provide adequate respiratory equipment to firefighters to protect against harmful smoke.
Contact a member of Parliament
Make your voice heard about climate change action. Contact a member of Parliament here
If you have any other suggestions pleases send them to me so I can add them to this list.
