Australian Bushfires

Our sincere thanks to everyone who has contacted us offering messages of support, condolence and solidarity around the devastating bushfires in Australia. For further information about the current bushfire situation, donating to bushfire relief, and offers of assistance, please see below.

Concerns for friends and family in Australia

Consular Emergency Centre of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs  - 24/7 BZ contactcenter: if you are concerned about the safety of a Dutch citizen travelling in Australia, please contact the 24/7 BZ contactcenter of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Netherlands: +31 247 247 247 or via WhatsApp on +31 6 8238 7796

More information and contact details can be found here: https://www.nederlandwereldwijd.nl/contact/contact-met-het-24-7-bz-contactcenter

Australian Red Cross – ‘Register.Find.Reunite’: This service registers, finds and reunites family, friends and loved ones after an emergency - https://register.redcross.org.au

Details on the current bushfire situation

For information about the current bushfire situation, please visit the relevant state or territory emergency management website:

• New South Wales: https://www.emergency.nsw.gov.au/
• Victoria: https://www.emv.vic.gov.au/
• Queensland: https://www.disaster.qld.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx
• Western Australia: https://semc.wa.gov.au/
• South Australia: https://www.safecom.sa.gov.au/site/emergency_management.jsp
• Tasmania: http://www.dpac.tas.gov.au/divisions/osem
• Northern Territory: https://nt.gov.au/emergency
• Australian Capital Territory: https://esa.act.gov.au/

Bushfire relief donations

We have received a large number of enquires asking about organisations that are receiving donations. We are not aware of any Dutch charities accepting donations. The following Australian charities are accepting donations for bushfire relief:

• Australian Red Cross: www.redcross.org.au
• The Salvation Army: www.salvationarmy.org.au
• St Vincent de Paul: www.vinnies.org.au
• NSW Rural Fire Service: www.rfs.nsw.gov.au
• Country Fire Association of Victoria: www.cfa.vic.gov.au
• South Australia Country Fire Service: www.cfsfoundation.org.au
• Wires (injured animals): www.wires.org.au

Scammers

Sadly, scammers are pretending to be legitimate charities during the Australian bushfires. If you are planning to donate in support of Australian fire recovery efforts, ensure the charity is registered by searching Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission's register at: https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity

Offers of assistance

The Australian Government continues to receive offers of assistance from the global community, domestic organisations, groups and individuals. These requests are being worked through in close consultation with the states and territories to determine the best options to support our emergency service personnel and fire-affected communities.

Other Subjects:

Embassy closed on 27 January 2020

The Australian Embassy will be closed on Monday 27 January 2020 to observe a public holiday, Australia Day.

The Embassy will re-open on Tuesday 28 January at 08:30am