How Dubai residents can help the heartbreaking Australian fires

It’s sadly been headline news since September, but the fires ravaging Australia show no signs of slowing down. New reports warn that over 200 fires could rage on for months causing more death and damage across the country. But thanks to an influx of fund-raising campaigns, there are now more ways to get involved and help out.

Record-breaking fires in Australia

The record-breaking fires have been burning since September and show no sign of slowing down during the peak summer season. There are currently more than 200 fires still raging across Australia, causing a huge amount of devastation. In total, the fires have killed over 20 people and more than 500 million animals while also destroying over six million hectares of land. To put that in context, that’s one and a half times the size of the UAE that’s been razed to the ground. 

The heartbreaking fires in Australia have taken their toll on the country, with few escaping their impact.

The defining image for our next decade as we enter a “new normal” of climate change. Thanks Allison Marion for sharing your photo. Hoping your family and loved ones are safe and unharmed. #MallacootaFires #Mallacoota #bushfirecrisis #ClimateEmergency @ScottMorrisonMP pic.twitter.com/RW3GnGkfFq

— James Meldrum (@_JamesMeldrum) December 31, 2019

The fires have created air pollution and smog in many of Australia’s biggest cities. And thousands of volunteer firefighters and reserve troops have been drafted in to tackle the blazes. There have been countless pictures and videos of the fires as they’ve swept across the country, causing devastation to the wildlife in the region.

This is Mallacoota in Australia

The entire city is surrounded by flames

This is what the world will look like if we don't tackle climate change pic.twitter.com/JarYiSjVet

— The Hardy Report Podcast (@EdwardTHardy) January 2, 2020

How Dubai residents can help

While we’re all keeping our fingers crossed for some vital rains like these from late last year in Dubai, there are ways that Aussie ex-pats and the rest of the UAE can help.

Pink and Nicole Kidman have pledged A$500,000 while Australian comic Celeste Barber has helped raise more than A$20 million since launching her appeal last Friday.

I am totally devastated watching what is happening in Australia right now with the horrific bushfires. I am pledging a donation of $500,000 directly to the local fire services that are battling so hard on the frontlines. My heart goes out to our friends and family in Oz ❤️ pic.twitter.com/kyjDbhoXpp

— P!nk (@Pink) January 4, 2020

Below are some sites where you can donate and help the heroic firefighters, volunteers and charities tackle the huge fires. 
Red Cross Disaster relief and recovery fund 

The NSW Rural Fire Service has a donation page 

The Country Fire Service in South Australia 

And here are several sites if you’d like to help out the families and individuals affected by the fires 

The Salvation Army

Victorian Bushfire Appeal