By now we are all in collective shock, grief, anger, and sadness at the sheer devastation across the country by ongoing bushfires that seem to have no end. Our country is burning. Lives have been lost, and our wildlife is being decimated. The scale of this catastrophe is hard to comprehend. Here’s how you can help those on the frontline of the recovery effort, and where your donation can be made to the following organisations and charities:

Cover Photo credit @mattabbottphoto (Instagram)

Help our Wildlife

PORT MACQUARIE KOALA HOSPITAL

Since September when our bushfires have been raging, more than 2000 Koalas have perished. Despite only having a goal of $25,000, The Koala Hospital has managed to raise more than $4 million in much needed funds. It’s aim was to raise money to purchase and distribute 12 automatic drinking stations to areas that had been burnt in the horrific bush fires in eastern Australia and specifically in the state of New South Wales (NSW). The drinking stations will be placed in areas to help in koala and wildlife survival. The number of drinking stations being built has now been increased to 100 and they are being shared with other wildlife organisations in fire affected regions across New South Wales.

Donate here.

WIRES

To help the NSW wildlife victims, you can donate to the NSW Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service (WIRES) here.

Celeste Barber

Since setting up her Facebook fundraiser Comedian Celeste Barber has had more than half a million people across the globe donate a staggering $39 million. She was initially raising funds for The Trustee for NSW Rural Fire Services and Brigades Donations Fund but due to the huge number of donations, she has said the funds would be distributed to all states as well as be spread to Victoria and South Australia, the Red Cross and families of those killed in the fires, to be decided in consultation with NSW RFS.

Help those Affected

Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund

In a joint appeal with the ABC, The Australian Red Cross has raised more than $2 million since New Year’s Eve (2019). Donations are being accepted through the general disaster relief fund, which goes to helping those affected by bushfires, heat, floods, cyclones and other emergencies.

Salvation Army

The Salvos are providing meals to evacuees and first-responders. Donate here. 

St Vincent de Paul

Vinnies is helping with bills, clothing, bedding and food. The Queensland government chipped in $25,000 in September as part of a wider $100,000 donation. Donate here.

Help our Firefighters

Donations can be made to the state-funded rural fire services. Some states allow pledges to individual brigades.

Victoria: CFA

NSW: RFS 

South Australia: CFS Foundation

Queensland: RFBAQ