Australia in flames: how can we help?

Since last September, Australia is experiencing the worst episode of bushfires ever remembered. In recent months more than 10 million hectares have burnt, an area the size of Hungary, and 28 people have lost their lives and more than 240,000 have been evacuated from their homes.

One of the worst figures in this crisis is the loss of biodiversity, where 80% of species are endemic. It is estimated that more than a million animals have perished and some species are on the verge of extinction, such as the Carroboree frog, the mountain pymgy possum, the glossy black cockatoo or the tiger quoll.

Other animals like Koalas are not at risk of total extinction by may disappear from areas as New South Wales, where fire has affected more than 5 million hectares. Just on Kangaroo Island, 50,000 of them died.

Bushfires are not only killing and injuring millions of animals, but are also having a serious impact on the preservation of many species, since the loss of their habitats places them at big risk. Koalas are especially vulnerable who, as a result of being displaced from their natural habitats, risk being killed by predators or run over by cars.

How can we help?

One of the ways in which anyone can help immediately is by supporting those organizations on the ground trying to control the situation.

To help people and families affected by the fires you may contact the Australian Red Cross, the Salvation Army and the Saint Vincent of Paul Society in Australia.

If you wish to help animals rescued from their destroyed ecosystems, you can contact WIRES, a non-profit organization working to rescue wildlife; the World Wildlife Fund WWF, the Port Maqcuarie koala hospital and the Currumbin wildlife hospital.

You can also support the teams of fire-fighters working to put out the fires and the NSW fire brigades or the volunteers from the CFS Foundation.