11 ways the world is coming together for Australia
And how you can help, too!
When the world faces peril, it often comes together to try and help. This is what we’ve seen with the growing situation in Australia. People have pooled together resources, donated, and volunteered their time to try and help. Here are 11 of the ways in which the world has helped and how you can help, too.
1. Fundraising
Several people have started fundraising for the Australian fires — many of these people are prominent actors or musicians. Everybody from Nicole Kidman (who herself is Australian) to Elton John have made substantial pledges. Chris Hemsworth, for instance, another Australian-born actor, donated $1 million to go toward fighting the fires.
Whatever it is, many businesses and single individuals have thrown money into the effort. Their generosity is one of the many things that not only shows how hopeful humans are as a species, but also how desperate we all are to preserve and maintain. We hope their efforts and more continue through the crisis.
2. Unorthodox auctioning
Some, instead of just giving their money away, have decided to implement novel strategies of raising said money. Some famous athletes and musicians have taken to auctioning off their prized gear. Clearly in tune with how much money such tactics will raise, their strategies work on two levels.
First, they get people who might be interested in these athletes or musicians yet not necessarily aware of the fires to get informed. Second — and more obviously, perhaps — it gets people to donate substantial sums of money by buying things they want. This strategy, along with more traditional fundraising, shows us hope for humanity.
3. Game, set, donate
Another way in which athletes are bringing awareness and dollars to the cause is by donating a certain number of dollars per play in their respective sports. In tennis, for instance, a few Australian players have opted to give hundreds of dollars per ace — a serve that is untouched by the opposing player — they score.
Other players have decided to give away their prize money. Whatever it is, their efforts have not gone unnoticed. They are yet another example of a handful of people who are capable of giving. And they show hope that the world can come together to try and fight off this horrible tragedy.
4. Donations of food
While the fires keep blazing, many communities have been left estranged from their lands. Having been forced to relocate after the fires took and razed their land, these people are now without homes, farms, or other property that they can turn to. And here is where we’ve seen another admirable type of donations: food.
In response to the chaos, the world has offered money, yes, but they have also offered another necessary resource: food. So, while many may have been left estranged from the land they used to possess, the world has tried to help by making sure that the disenfranchised at least have food. This food can, however, become too abundant, suffocating storage spaces. You’ll want to ask whether the places you’d like to donate to have room or need before donating.
5. Awareness
Given that the fires have coincided with a time during which many were focused on awards for media — i.e., the Golden Globes — many would-be winners have been determined to spread awareness about the fires in their speeches. This was the tactic of Australian actors Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett.
After having been induced to speak, both brought awareness to the fires and implored those with means to donate. Spreading awareness of the fires is absolutely necessary, given that we need many hands on deck to help minimize their damage. Advertising such needs on some of the most widely watched events on television is surely a helpful strategy.
6. Added firefighters
One of the less traditional yet more effective ways in which the world has responded has been to add more firefighters. This has happened in the United States, for instance, where U.S.-born firefighters have flown to the island continent to help places like New South Wales that are ravaged by the flames.
Given that the fires are so large and insurmountable, these extra firefighters are a major help. And the fact that they are willing to risk their lives and give their time is just another testament to the human spirit in the wake of tragedy. We hope that their efforts can redouble and keep redoubling until we’ve put the fires at bay.
7. Volunteering
The world, including many Australian citizens, has given more than just firefighters, however. Some citizens and inhabitants of other countries have given up their time to fly overseas and volunteer. While this volunteering might not put them literally in the line of fire, it still enables them to help in whatever way is needed.
These volunteers can help with animal care for species saved from the flames, or with the parsing out of food and resources in the care facilities that receive them. Moreover, they can actually help with the fighting of the fire. Whatever it is, their efforts have helped to solidify and affirm our faith in humanity.
8. Soldiers
One particular way in which Australia’s neighbors have responded is by offering up soldiers. Papua New Guinea, for instance, the island immediately to the north of Queensland, has offered the island continent 1,000 of its men. These men can be commanded in whatever way the prime minister sees fit.
Such offerings from nearby neighbors show that not everything is about land and resources — but, rather, that some things are about solidarity and caring. The efforts and gestures will prove meaningful well into the future, showing how much some are willing to help a friend in need. We can only hope their efforts are mimicked elsewhere.
9. Blankets
Another benefit that has come to Australia is knitted goods. Shelters have been struck with a deluge of items from animal beds to animal blankets. The knitted goods are intended to help the animals have makeshift homes so that they’re not left on the cold concrete or otherwise barren floors of the shelters in which they’re staying.
The fact that so many people have been willing to part ways with their favorite blanket (or to manufacture a new one whole cloth) is another testimony to the human spirit in the wake of crisis. When things get sour, people will band together to try and help. Here, we see that as clear as day, with many people lending their knitting hands.
10. Help for the families
Many, rather than or in addition to helping the firefighting efforts themselves, have decided to donate to the families of those affected. Now, these people can be the families of firefighters that have been lost in the battle, or the families of those that have lost homes. Either way, charities have been founded to help those that have lost.
Whatever it is, the fact that so many are willing to try and help those who have suffered from the fires directly is truly heartwarming. So if you’re looking for a way in which to add some cheer to your morning, make sure to read these last few sentences again. They are most assuredly likely to do the trick.
11. Specific organizations
Some organizations are specialized to help combat the fires in more specific ways. One organization, GIVIT, for example, is running a campaign to match any donations with ways in which other reliefs organizations have requested help. This means that these organizations will get twice the assistance — and in ways they very specifically need.
If you were to donate money, then, they might double the funds. Moreover, if you were to donate clothing or household goods, they might match those goods in money. Either way, your contribution is getting amplified by the aid of another resourceful organization. In both instances, people are helping out and warming hearts.
