Record-breaking high temperatures, strong winds, and years of drought have stirred intense wildfires Down Under, killing at least 30 people, destroying more than 2,200 homes, and scorching approximately 22 million acres of land. The fires began in September and have spread across 131 regions of Australia.
A team of eight disaster response volunteers arrived from Samaritan’s Purse Canada to assist the Australian team with logistics, administration, and the physical work of helping homeowners and families who have been affected by the fires. Three crisis-trained Canadian Billy Graham Rapid Response Team chaplains are also in Australia to help Australian chaplains provide spiritual and emotional aid to people who have lost their homes and possessions to catastrophic wildfires.
“We know the level of devastation wildfires bring to communities here in Canada. Our hearts break as we see their impact across Australia,” said Brent Davis, Samaritan’s Purse’s director of Canadian ministry projects.
“As we pray for rain, we are equipped and eager to send Canadian resources and experience to help families recover from these fires.”
Samaritan’s Purse teams will be cleaning properties, clearing fence lines, removing debris, and helping homeowners start to rebuild their lives again in Jesus’ Name.
Please continue to pray for families struggling in the aftermath of these devastating fires. Pray for our volunteers as they demonstrate God’s love and compassion.
Samaritan's Purse responds to humanitarian crises with physical aid and a message of spiritual hope for victims of natural disasters, famine, poverty, and war. Your gift will allow us to share Jesus' love through clean water, food, shelter, medical supplies, personnel, and other aid.