City
Epaper

International aid, donations pour in for Aus bushfire crisis

By IANS | Updated: January 8, 2020 09:25 IST

International aid and donations have poured in for the ongoing bushfire crisis in Australia, which has so far killed 25 people and millions of animals while also destroying nearly 2,000 houses.

Open in App

The scale of the devastation has shocked the global community, prompting celebrities, politic and civil to inundate Australia with messages of support and assistance, Xinhua news agency said in a report on Wednesday.

This week additional defence and firefighting personnel arrived from the US and neighbouring New Zealand to help the local emergency services.

Other countries including neighbouring Papua New Guinea (PNG), Fiji and Singapore have also offered practical assistance in the form of firefighters, aircraft, soldiers and financial aid, while a string of world leaders from France to the United Arab Emirates sent heartfelt words of support.

"Australia is the closest friend of PNG and is always the first in PNG in our times of adversities and we offer our hearts and our hands to you in this time of fire-induced tragedies," PNG Prime Minister James Marape posted online.

Celebrities and sporting heroes have also been quick to do what they can for the cause.

As a show of support for those affected by the fires, a special "Rally for Relief" event was announced for the lead up to the Australian Open with many of the world's top players committing to charity matches.

Millions of dollars has already been raised by donations from ordinary people around the world.

New South Wales Rural Fire Service chief Shane Fitzsimmons on Wednesday described the overwhelming influx of donations as "extremely generous", reflecting "the best we've got in humanity".

He said that all efforts would be made to ensure that the donations go to the right place.

On Tuesday evening, British pop legend, Elton John ended his concert in Sydney with a pledge of $1 million, prompting a standing ovation.

The Golden Globes award ceremony on Sunday night also saw the bushfires recognised with a message from Australian actor Russell Crowe, who instead of being at the awards was in his home country defending his home and property from fires.

Crowe described the tragedy as unmistakably "climate based".

Other Australian celebrities, including actors Chris Hemsworth, Hugh Jackman and singer Kylie Minogue, have also donated towards the crisis.

( With inputs from IANS )

Tags: australiaPNGNew ZealandJames MarapeIans
Open in App

Related Stories

InternationalEid Al-Fitr 2025: Australia to Celebrate Ramadan Eid on March 31 and First Day of Shawwal 1446 AH

InternationalEarthquake in New Zealand: Quake of Magnitude 6.8 Hits Riverton Coast

MumbaiMumbai Shocker: A Female posted at Australian Navy Molested In Mumbai, Accused Driver Arrested

CricketNZ vs PAK 2025: Hasan Nawaz Breaks Ex-Captain Babar Azam's Record of Scoring Fastest T20I Century For Pakistan

CricketNZ vs PAK 3rd T20I 2025: Hasan Nawaz Sets New Powerplay Record for Pakistan in T20Is

International Realted Stories

InternationalPak: Canal protests paralyse goods movement across Sindh, ports warn of looming crisis

InternationalNorth Korea confirms for first time its troops fought war with Russia against Ukraine

InternationalBlast at Iran's Shahid Rajaee Port kills 40; Ayatollah Khamenei calls for investigation

InternationalSeveral injured after Florida ferry collides with another boat, police say

InternationalUS conducted over 800 strikes against Houthis since March 15, claims 69% drop in missile launches