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Australian Bushfires Devastate Communities

Published January 7th, 2020 - 07:03 GMT

The Australian government pledged $1.4 billion over two years to help recover from the devastating months-long crisis.

With the initial money, the federal government will establish the National Bushfire Recovery Agency to coordinate a response to rebuild the communities affected by fires in Victoria and New South Wales, which have been battling devastating blazes for months, the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement.

Catastrophic bushfires have turned swathes of land into smoldering, blackened hellscapes and destroyed an area about the size of the island of Ireland.

The disaster has sparked growing public anger. Australians plan on to call on his government to step up efforts to tackle climate change, which have helped fuel the fires.

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A dog sits amongst ash from bushfires washed up on a beach in Merimbula, in Australia's New South Wales state on January 5, 2020. Australians on January 5 counted the cost from a day of catastrophic bushfires that caused "extensive damage" across swathes of the country and took the death toll from the long-running crisis to 24. SAEED KHAN / AFP

A dog sits amongst ash from bushfires washed up on a beach in Merimbula, in Australia's New South Wales state on January 5, 2020. Australians on January 5 counted the cost from a day of catastrophic bushfires that caused "extensive damage" across swathes of the country and took the death toll from the long-running crisis to 24. SAEED KHAN / AFP

Local resident Dave Iredale walks past ash from bushfires washed up on a beach in Merimbula, in Australia's New South Wales state on January 5, 2020. Australians on January 5 counted the cost from a day of catastrophic bushfires that caused "extensive damage" across swathes of the country and took the death toll from the long-running crisis to 24. SAEED KHAN / AFP

Local resident Dave Iredale walks past ash from bushfires washed up on a beach in Merimbula, in Australia's New South Wales state on January 5, 2020. Australians on January 5 counted the cost from a day of catastrophic bushfires that caused "extensive damage" across swathes of the country and took the death toll from the long-running crisis to 24. SAEED KHAN / AFP

Ash from bushfires washes up on a beach in Merimbula, in Australia's New South Wales state on January 5, 2020. Australians on January 5 counted the cost from a day of catastrophic bushfires that caused "extensive damage" across swathes of the country and took the death toll from the long-running crisis to 24. SAEED KHAN / AFP

Ash from bushfires washes up on a beach in Merimbula, in Australia's New South Wales state on January 5, 2020. Australians on January 5 counted the cost from a day of catastrophic bushfires that caused "extensive damage" across swathes of the country and took the death toll from the long-running crisis to 24. SAEED KHAN / AFP

A general view shows a burnt land on a farm after overnight bushfires in Adaminaby, in Australia's New South Wales state on January 5, 2020. Australians on January 5 counted the cost from a day of catastrophic bushfires that caused "extensive damage" across swathes of the country and took the death toll from the long-running crisis to 24. SAEED KHAN / AFP

A general view shows a burnt land on a farm after overnight bushfires in Adaminaby, in Australia's New South Wales state on January 5, 2020. Australians on January 5 counted the cost from a day of catastrophic bushfires that caused "extensive damage" across swathes of the country and took the death toll from the long-running crisis to 24. SAEED KHAN / AFP

A burnt car is seen in Kangaroo Valley, in Australia's New South Wales state on January 5, 2020. Australians on January 5 counted the cost from a day of catastrophic bushfires that caused "extensive damage" across swathes of the country and took the death toll from the long-running crisis to 24. PETER PARKS / AFP

A burnt car is seen in Kangaroo Valley, in Australia's New South Wales state on January 5, 2020. Australians on January 5 counted the cost from a day of catastrophic bushfires that caused "extensive damage" across swathes of the country and took the death toll from the long-running crisis to 24. PETER PARKS / AFP

A statue at a burnt house is seen after an overnight bushfire in Quaama in Australia's New South Wales state on January 6, 2020. Reserve troops were deployed to fire-ravaged regions across three Australian states on January 6 after a torrid weekend that turned swathes of land into smouldering, blackened hellscapes. SAEED KHAN / AFP

A statue at a burnt house is seen after an overnight bushfire in Quaama in Australia's New South Wales state on January 6, 2020. Reserve troops were deployed to fire-ravaged regions across three Australian states on January 6 after a torrid weekend that turned swathes of land into smouldering, blackened hellscapes. SAEED KHAN / AFP

Smoke raises to the sky as a woodchip mill burns in Eden, in Australia's New South Wales state on January 6, 2020. January 5 brought milder conditions, including some rainfall in New South Wales and neighbouring Victoria state, but some communities were still under threat from out-of-control blazes, particularly in and around the town of Eden in New South Wales near the Victorian border. SAEED KHAN / AFP

Smoke raises to the sky as a woodchip mill burns in Eden, in Australia's New South Wales state on January 6, 2020. January 5 brought milder conditions, including some rainfall in New South Wales and neighbouring Victoria state, but some communities were still under threat from out-of-control blazes, particularly in and around the town of Eden in New South Wales near the Victorian border. SAEED KHAN / AFP

A firefighter tackles a bushfire south of Nowra on January 5, 2020. Australians on January 5 counted the cost from a day of catastrophic bushfires that caused "extensive damage" across swathes of the country and took the death toll from the long-running crisis to 24. PETER PARKS / AFP

A firefighter tackles a bushfire south of Nowra on January 5, 2020. Australians on January 5 counted the cost from a day of catastrophic bushfires that caused "extensive damage" across swathes of the country and took the death toll from the long-running crisis to 24. PETER PARKS / AFP

Firefighters tackle a bushfire in thick smoke in the town of Moruya, south of Batemans Bay, in New South Wales on January 4, 2020. Up to 3,000 military reservists were called up to tackle Australia's relentless bushfire crisis on January 4, as tens of thousands of residents fled their homes amid catastrophic conditions. PETER PARKS / AFP

Firefighters tackle a bushfire in thick smoke in the town of Moruya, south of Batemans Bay, in New South Wales on January 4, 2020. Up to 3,000 military reservists were called up to tackle Australia's relentless bushfire crisis on January 4, as tens of thousands of residents fled their homes amid catastrophic conditions. PETER PARKS / AFP

This picture taken on December 31, 2019 shows a kangaroo trying to move away from nearby bushfires at a residential property near the town of Nowra in the Australian state of New South Wales. Fire-ravaged Australia has launched a major operation to reach thousands of people stranded in seaside towns after deadly bushfires ripped through popular tourist areas on New Year's Eve. SAEED KHAN / AFP

This picture taken on December 31, 2019 shows a kangaroo trying to move away from nearby bushfires at a residential property near the town of Nowra in the Australian state of New South Wales. Fire-ravaged Australia has launched a major operation to reach thousands of people stranded in seaside towns after deadly bushfires ripped through popular tourist areas on New Year's Eve. SAEED KHAN / AFP

A dog sits amongst ash from bushfires washed up on a beach in Merimbula, in Australia's New South Wales state on January 5, 2020. Australians on January 5 counted the cost from a day of catastrophic bushfires that caused "extensive damage" across swathes of the country and took the death toll from the long-running crisis to 24. SAEED KHAN / AFP
Local resident Dave Iredale walks past ash from bushfires washed up on a beach in Merimbula, in Australia's New South Wales state on January 5, 2020. Australians on January 5 counted the cost from a day of catastrophic bushfires that caused "extensive damage" across swathes of the country and took the death toll from the long-running crisis to 24. SAEED KHAN / AFP
Ash from bushfires washes up on a beach in Merimbula, in Australia's New South Wales state on January 5, 2020. Australians on January 5 counted the cost from a day of catastrophic bushfires that caused "extensive damage" across swathes of the country and took the death toll from the long-running crisis to 24. SAEED KHAN / AFP
A general view shows a burnt land on a farm after overnight bushfires in Adaminaby, in Australia's New South Wales state on January 5, 2020. Australians on January 5 counted the cost from a day of catastrophic bushfires that caused "extensive damage" across swathes of the country and took the death toll from the long-running crisis to 24. SAEED KHAN / AFP
A burnt car is seen in Kangaroo Valley, in Australia's New South Wales state on January 5, 2020. Australians on January 5 counted the cost from a day of catastrophic bushfires that caused "extensive damage" across swathes of the country and took the death toll from the long-running crisis to 24. PETER PARKS / AFP
A statue at a burnt house is seen after an overnight bushfire in Quaama in Australia's New South Wales state on January 6, 2020. Reserve troops were deployed to fire-ravaged regions across three Australian states on January 6 after a torrid weekend that turned swathes of land into smouldering, blackened hellscapes. SAEED KHAN / AFP
Smoke raises to the sky as a woodchip mill burns in Eden, in Australia's New South Wales state on January 6, 2020. January 5 brought milder conditions, including some rainfall in New South Wales and neighbouring Victoria state, but some communities were still under threat from out-of-control blazes, particularly in and around the town of Eden in New South Wales near the Victorian border. SAEED KHAN / AFP
A firefighter tackles a bushfire south of Nowra on January 5, 2020. Australians on January 5 counted the cost from a day of catastrophic bushfires that caused "extensive damage" across swathes of the country and took the death toll from the long-running crisis to 24. PETER PARKS / AFP
Firefighters tackle a bushfire in thick smoke in the town of Moruya, south of Batemans Bay, in New South Wales on January 4, 2020. Up to 3,000 military reservists were called up to tackle Australia's relentless bushfire crisis on January 4, as tens of thousands of residents fled their homes amid catastrophic conditions. PETER PARKS / AFP
This picture taken on December 31, 2019 shows a kangaroo trying to move away from nearby bushfires at a residential property near the town of Nowra in the Australian state of New South Wales. Fire-ravaged Australia has launched a major operation to reach thousands of people stranded in seaside towns after deadly bushfires ripped through popular tourist areas on New Year's Eve. SAEED KHAN / AFP
A dog sits amongst ash from bushfires washed up on a beach in Merimbula, in Australia's New South Wales state on January 5, 2020. Australians on January 5 counted the cost from a day of catastrophic bushfires that caused "extensive damage" across swathes of the country and took the death toll from the long-running crisis to 24. SAEED KHAN / AFP
A dog sits amongst ash from bushfires washed up on a beach in Merimbula, in Australia's New South Wales state on January 5, 2020. Australians on January 5 counted the cost from a day of catastrophic bushfires that caused "extensive damage" across swathes of the country and took the death toll from the long-running crisis to 24. SAEED KHAN / AFP
Local resident Dave Iredale walks past ash from bushfires washed up on a beach in Merimbula, in Australia's New South Wales state on January 5, 2020. Australians on January 5 counted the cost from a day of catastrophic bushfires that caused "extensive damage" across swathes of the country and took the death toll from the long-running crisis to 24. SAEED KHAN / AFP
Local resident Dave Iredale walks past ash from bushfires washed up on a beach in Merimbula, in Australia's New South Wales state on January 5, 2020. Australians on January 5 counted the cost from a day of catastrophic bushfires that caused "extensive damage" across swathes of the country and took the death toll from the long-running crisis to 24. SAEED KHAN / AFP
Ash from bushfires washes up on a beach in Merimbula, in Australia's New South Wales state on January 5, 2020. Australians on January 5 counted the cost from a day of catastrophic bushfires that caused "extensive damage" across swathes of the country and took the death toll from the long-running crisis to 24. SAEED KHAN / AFP
Ash from bushfires washes up on a beach in Merimbula, in Australia's New South Wales state on January 5, 2020. Australians on January 5 counted the cost from a day of catastrophic bushfires that caused "extensive damage" across swathes of the country and took the death toll from the long-running crisis to 24. SAEED KHAN / AFP
A general view shows a burnt land on a farm after overnight bushfires in Adaminaby, in Australia's New South Wales state on January 5, 2020. Australians on January 5 counted the cost from a day of catastrophic bushfires that caused "extensive damage" across swathes of the country and took the death toll from the long-running crisis to 24. SAEED KHAN / AFP
A general view shows a burnt land on a farm after overnight bushfires in Adaminaby, in Australia's New South Wales state on January 5, 2020. Australians on January 5 counted the cost from a day of catastrophic bushfires that caused "extensive damage" across swathes of the country and took the death toll from the long-running crisis to 24. SAEED KHAN / AFP
A burnt car is seen in Kangaroo Valley, in Australia's New South Wales state on January 5, 2020. Australians on January 5 counted the cost from a day of catastrophic bushfires that caused "extensive damage" across swathes of the country and took the death toll from the long-running crisis to 24. PETER PARKS / AFP
A burnt car is seen in Kangaroo Valley, in Australia's New South Wales state on January 5, 2020. Australians on January 5 counted the cost from a day of catastrophic bushfires that caused "extensive damage" across swathes of the country and took the death toll from the long-running crisis to 24. PETER PARKS / AFP
A statue at a burnt house is seen after an overnight bushfire in Quaama in Australia's New South Wales state on January 6, 2020. Reserve troops were deployed to fire-ravaged regions across three Australian states on January 6 after a torrid weekend that turned swathes of land into smouldering, blackened hellscapes. SAEED KHAN / AFP
A statue at a burnt house is seen after an overnight bushfire in Quaama in Australia's New South Wales state on January 6, 2020. Reserve troops were deployed to fire-ravaged regions across three Australian states on January 6 after a torrid weekend that turned swathes of land into smouldering, blackened hellscapes. SAEED KHAN / AFP
Smoke raises to the sky as a woodchip mill burns in Eden, in Australia's New South Wales state on January 6, 2020. January 5 brought milder conditions, including some rainfall in New South Wales and neighbouring Victoria state, but some communities were still under threat from out-of-control blazes, particularly in and around the town of Eden in New South Wales near the Victorian border. SAEED KHAN / AFP
Smoke raises to the sky as a woodchip mill burns in Eden, in Australia's New South Wales state on January 6, 2020. January 5 brought milder conditions, including some rainfall in New South Wales and neighbouring Victoria state, but some communities were still under threat from out-of-control blazes, particularly in and around the town of Eden in New South Wales near the Victorian border. SAEED KHAN / AFP
A firefighter tackles a bushfire south of Nowra on January 5, 2020. Australians on January 5 counted the cost from a day of catastrophic bushfires that caused "extensive damage" across swathes of the country and took the death toll from the long-running crisis to 24. PETER PARKS / AFP
A firefighter tackles a bushfire south of Nowra on January 5, 2020. Australians on January 5 counted the cost from a day of catastrophic bushfires that caused "extensive damage" across swathes of the country and took the death toll from the long-running crisis to 24. PETER PARKS / AFP
Firefighters tackle a bushfire in thick smoke in the town of Moruya, south of Batemans Bay, in New South Wales on January 4, 2020. Up to 3,000 military reservists were called up to tackle Australia's relentless bushfire crisis on January 4, as tens of thousands of residents fled their homes amid catastrophic conditions. PETER PARKS / AFP
Firefighters tackle a bushfire in thick smoke in the town of Moruya, south of Batemans Bay, in New South Wales on January 4, 2020. Up to 3,000 military reservists were called up to tackle Australia's relentless bushfire crisis on January 4, as tens of thousands of residents fled their homes amid catastrophic conditions. PETER PARKS / AFP
This picture taken on December 31, 2019 shows a kangaroo trying to move away from nearby bushfires at a residential property near the town of Nowra in the Australian state of New South Wales. Fire-ravaged Australia has launched a major operation to reach thousands of people stranded in seaside towns after deadly bushfires ripped through popular tourist areas on New Year's Eve. SAEED KHAN / AFP
This picture taken on December 31, 2019 shows a kangaroo trying to move away from nearby bushfires at a residential property near the town of Nowra in the Australian state of New South Wales. Fire-ravaged Australia has launched a major operation to reach thousands of people stranded in seaside towns after deadly bushfires ripped through popular tourist areas on New Year's Eve. SAEED KHAN / AFP

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