We cannot sit back and do nothing.
The Australian bushfires are truly devastating, both literally and emotionally. We are putting a plan together to do all that we can to help the people, wildlife, and habitats of Australia. This needs our attention. And it needs volunteers.
What is Kaya’s Plan with the Australian bushfires?
We are currently talking to our conservation partners on the ground, gathering information on how international volunteers could help against the Australian bushfires. Due to the extremely dangerous conditions, Kaya are not at this moment sending volunteers to fire-affected areas. We cannot risk the loss of life, and the fire service and armed forces are far more qualified and equipped to deal with the fires directly.
Our work will begin once the fires are out. An awful lot of relief aid is required however, for those that have lost their homes and businesses. And of course there are thousands of animals that have been displaced, injured, or suffered dehydration.
So, this is a call to action.
Whilst we connect with the organisations, and find out the best plan moving forward, you can register your interest on this form. Do you have medical or veterinary training, are you interested in humanitarian aid or conservation, or are you just a concerned global citizen with the drive to help this cause? You are needed.
Please, fill out the form and we will get back to you with how you can volunteer or help in any way.
The Facts
Since September, the raging fires have taken the lives of 28 people, with many more still missing. Thousands of homes have been destroyed. New South Wales is the worst affected state. Five million hectares in that state alone have burnt, with an estimated 10 million hectares affected across Australia. That is an area nearly the size of England.
Ecologists from the University of Sydney estimate that nearly half a billion animals have been killed, including thousands of koalas, who struggle to move fast enough to escape. They estimate that a third of NSW’s koala population has been lost.
Speaking at a parliamentary inquiry in New South Wales, ecologist Mark Graham with the Nature Conservation Council said that “the fires have burnt so hot and so fast that there has been significant mortality of animals in the trees, but there is such a big area now that is still on fire and still burning that we will probably never find the bodies.”
He added that “We’ve lost such a massive swath of known koala habitat that I think we can say without any doubt there will be ongoing declines in koala populations from this point forward.”
Australia does have a yearly bushfire season. But the length and spread of the current fires is unprecedented. The fires have started earlier, raged longer, and with more ferocity. The fires most commonly start due to the heat and generally dry conditions in Australia.
But with temperatures on the rise due to climate change, and a year of less annual rainfall – these are the worst fires in Australia on record.
The responsibility to make change is on all of us.
Find the form to express your interest here.
Thank you for caring.
If you are unable to volunteer, you could donate to any of the following charities:
Australian Red Cross runs centres for those displaced by the fires.
findabed.info for people and animals who have lost their homes
Adelaide Koala Rescue is tending to South Australia’s koala burn victims and finding them homes
WIRES Wildlife Rescue As well as donations and volunteers, the charity has also provided instructions on how to make pouches for small marsupials, which you can send to PO Box 7276, Warringah Mall, NSW 2100, Australia
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