At the time of writing, the seemingly never-ending summer of bushfires continues to take a devastating toll. Some 33 people have been killed in the fires, and over 2,500 homes across the nation destroyed, with the heaviest loss occurring in the state of New South Wales.
Losses among wildlife and livestock are inestimable in number, with some sources stating that perhaps 1.25 billion animals have been destroyed. The landmass devastated is equal to one and a half times the area of Scotland. Australian home territory has largely escaped the ravages of war over the decades, but is now experiencing something similar to a devastating military attack.
Community spirit
As one surveys the devastation, a particularly striking image is the community spirit that has been on display in every single location in crisis. Many families and institutions have offered accommodation to evacuees from the fire zones, while donations of food and clothing have been so great that authorities have requested that future donations be monetary, given the logistical challenge of distributing all the donations in kind. Among the searing images on international TV screens have been scenes of ordinary citizens risking their lives to save koala bears and other animals caught up in the fires. The worst of dangers have brought out the best of the human spirit.
Australia’s diverse church communities have been at the very forefront of responding to the national crisis. Summer is a time for mission camps around the country, and many of these camps have been caught up in the fire crises.
Christian camps
One Scripture Union youth camp that was taking place in the devastated community of Mallacoota on Victoria’s eastern coast threw itself into supporting local community members who had lost their homes. The youth-camp members were eventually evacuated along with many town residents on a Royal Australian Navy ship as the town was cut off completely.
Prayer
Churches have called for prayer, organised donations, and provided assistance in a wide range of ways. Anglicare Victoria lost no time in organising a major bushfire emergency appeal, allocating significant resources to administering the funds and donations raised. The Baptist Unions in the various states of Australia called for prayer and organised donations. They also helpfully provided advice to communities threatened by the fires on preparations to be Fire Ready, as well as advice on community services available to those affected by the fires.
The Uniting Church of Australia sent chaplains to evacuation centres across the nation to minister to evacuees.
Fundraising
Hillsong Church organised a Global Bushfire Appeal, drawing on the resources of its branches at various international locations. The Adventist Church of Australia also raised funds for those affected, while Avondale University College, a member of the Adventist Church, made available residential facilities to families evacuated from fires.
Some relief
As January drew to a close, recent cooler conditions and some heavy rain was experienced in a number of locations across the nation, providing some relief to firefighters. However, the scale of the fires is so great that it is expected that they will burn for months. Indeed, as February began, there was a devastating flare-up of fires just south of Canberra, the nation’s capital, threatening its southern suburbs.
Few Australians are unaffected in some way by this crisis, whether it be losing property or simply smelling intense smoke and having ash float onto outside terraces. A recent report showed that numbers volunteering for service as firefighters with the Country Fire Authority have almost doubled in recent weeks. Such evidence of a community spirit of solidarity and support is an answer to the countless prayers that continue to be raised in churches across the nation.
