We are grateful to everyone who has contacted us in Hong Kong offering messages of support, condolence and solidarity regarding the bushfires in Australia. For further information about the current bushfire situation, donating to bushfire relief, Hong Kong fundraisers, and offers of assistance, please see below.
Concerns for family and friends in Australia
Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit (AHU): if you are concerned about the safety of a Hong Kong resident travelling in Australia, please contact the AHU in Hong Kong: +852 1868
Australian Red Cross – ‘Register.Find.Reunite’: This service registers, finds and reunites family and friends after an emergency - https://register.redcross.org.au
Travelling to Australia
While large rural areas have been affected, most of Australia remains safe and continues to welcome visitors. All international airports are operating as normal. One of the best ways to support Australian communities, and the tourism sector, is to keep visiting. Tourism Australia has a summary of some of the most popular destinations for travellers and whether they have been impacted by the current fires. If you have planned travel to Australia, you should also review the Outbound Travel Alert for Australia from the Hong Kong Security Bureau and follow the advice of local authorities in Australia. You can also keep track of real-time information about the fires using the below information.
Information on the fires
For information about the current bushfire situation, please visit the relevant state or territory emergency management website:
- New South Wales
- Victoria
- Queensland
- Western Australia
- South Australia
- Tasmania
- Northern Territory
- Australian Capital Territory
You can also monitor the ABC Australia News website, which also has links to relevant state fire and emergency authorities. ABC Australia (NOW TV Ch 561) has recently released the ABC Australia iView app, which has live news coverage. The app is available for download here:
Bushfire relief donations
Many people have contacted us asking how they can help. The Australian Chamber of Commerce Hong Kong and the Australian Association of Hong Kong have established a local donation platform to support the bushfire relief efforts. Companies in Hong Kong can contact AustCham to discuss how a corporate donation matching program - matching staff donations with corporate donations - can be set-up. All funds raised will go to the Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund.
The following Australian organisations are accepting direct donations in Australia for bushfire relief:
- Australian Red Cross
- The Salvation Army
- New South Wales Rural Fire Service
- Victorian Bushfire Appeal
- South Australian Country Fire Service
- Wires (injured animals)
Bushfire relief Hong Kong fundraisers
19 January: Castello Concepts Australian Bushfire Appeal: In association with AustCham HK and the Australian Association of HK, Wagyu Restaurant will be open from 12pm – 3pm on 19 January with all profits being donated to the Bushfire Appeal.
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.