“Adults keep saying: we owe it to the young people to give them hope. I don’t want your hope. I want you to act. I want you to act as if the house was on fire…because it is.”
- Greta Thunberg
If the thick layer of smoke blanketing Sydney is anything to go by, the horrors of the recent NSW bushfires are far from over. There are around 1,300 firefighters battling more than 50 fires still burning across the state, with 28 of the fires listed as ‘uncontained’ and conditions set to worsen over the coming week.
Since the fires began, there have been 530 homes lost, 420 of those in the last fortnight alone. In the catastrophic fires that ravaged the Amazon rainforest earlier this year, 906,000 hectares of the forest was burned. So far in NSW, the count is at 1.6million hectares. It’s also estimated that up to 350 koalas have perished in the fires, with the death toll expected to climb in the aftermath, due to dehydration and lack of food. So far, six people have lost their lives.
In the face of such an unprecedented emergency for our state, Pure Community is pooling its donation funds for the remainder of the year, and donating to the NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) to provide desperately needed funding in support of those risking their lives to save the lives of so many others.
ABOUT THE NSW RFS
The NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) is the world’s largest volunteer fire service and is the lead combat agency for bush fires in NSW. They are currently at the frontline of efforts to contain the flames that are burning across the state.
Working closely with other agencies they respond to a range of emergencies including structure fires, motor vehicle accidents and storms that occur within rural fire districts, with members providing fire and emergency services to approximately 95% of NSW.
The NSW RFS also aims to reduce the likelihood and consequence of fires occurring. This involves comprehensive risk management programs to reduce bush fire hazards, reduce fire ignitions and the development of regulations for bush fire prone areas.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
The fires that are currently sweeping across NSW are unprecedented in both timing and magnitude, and with inadequate government funding and support, several of our live-saving firefighting, charity and animal welfare groups are feeling the strain.
Many have made public pleas for financial assistance (as opposed to donated goods) which will help them best meet the varying needs of the volunteers and victims.
The NSW Rural Fire Service
The NSW RFS is facing an unparalleled fire season, with local brigades heavily reliant on volunteers and financial contributions to sustain their life and home saving efforts.
You can donate to the NSW RFS here.
Or, you can make a bank deposit to the NSW RFS directly:
Account Name: NSW Rural Fire Service
Bank: Westpac BSB: 032-001 Account No: 171051
The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army’s Emergency Services (SAES) teams are still responding to the devastating bushfires in New South Wales and Queensland and are offering a range of services and assistance measures to help people who have been impacted including:
- Financial assistance
- Emotional wellbeing and support services
- Information, referrals and advice.
Salvation Army teams are also providing meals to evacuees and frontline responders and will continue to provide whatever support is needed as the situation continues.
You can donate to the Salvos here.
WIRES
WIRES (NSW Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service) regularly receive 600-800 calls a day from the community needing wildlife rescue advice and assistance, and this is before the additional stress of emergency events such as bushfires and extensive habitat loss, drought and dire food shortages.
Many of WIRES volunteer rescuers and carers are inundated with animals and events such as these stretch their already limited resources. WIRES is gratefully accepting donations to aid their efforts in supporting displaced and injured wildlife as a result of the fires.
You can donate to WIRES here.
*Pure Community and Pure Finance have no direct affiliation with the organisations and causes listed on this page, we simply appreciate the work that they do, and choose to show our appreciation by contributing to them.