Tragedy Down-under

UAE residents now have a safe and legal channel to directly support impacted wildlife and nature in Australia

Emirates Nature-WWF has set up a fundraising channel, via YallaGive a local crowdfunding platform, through which the population of the UAE can support the nature and wildlife of Australia. Funds raised through this campaign will support an emergency appeal from WWF Australia who have established a $30 million Australian Wildlife and Nature Recovery Fund.

The Fund will deliver: immediate wildlife response and recovery at scale, nature restoration for the benefit of wildlife and people and, the future proofing of Australia, including climate change adaptation and mitigation projects. Emirates Nature-WWF is calling out to all UAE residents – people and businesses - to help support the appeal.

Currently, more than 10 million hectares of Australian land has been affected, at least 25 people have lost their lives and over 2,000 homes have been lost. In addition to this, an estimated 1.25 billion native animals have been injured or killed including species such as kangaroos, koalas, wallabies, kookaburras, cockatoos and honeyeaters.

Laila Mostafa Abdullatif, Director General of Emirates Nature-WWF said, “The Emirates Nature-WWF team and I are deeply saddened by the loss of life in the bushfire tragedy gripping Australia. Our hearts go out to the families who been affected. The fires have also been devastating for Australia’s wildlife and wild places, as massive areas of native bushland, forests and parks have been scorched.

By supporting this appeal and contributing to the Australian Wildlife and Nature Recovery Fund , residents and businesses of the UAE can legally support the rescue and restoration efforts, required at scale in Australia, and we would like to thank those businesses and individuals who have already done so.” Businesses from around the UAE have already volunteered, in collaboration with Emirates Nature, to take part in this important initiative, including Dubai-based VIVO Fitness and Palm Jumeirah-based, Bidi Bondi.

Commenting on the campaign, General Manager of VIVO Fitness, Thomas Kinsey said, “The team at VIVO Fitness here in Dubai and Australia have had family and friends directly affected by the fire. This is a cause that we feel compelled to support. Every little support counts.”

General Manager of Bidi Bondi, Dal Jones said, “We are so grateful for the support and efforts given by both the teams at Emirates Nature-WWF and YallaGive to help make this happen. This catastrophe has impacted every Australian and we are proud to be associated with a fundraising campaign that allows UAE residents and companies to support, promote and donate to such an important cause.”

Australia is in dire need of our support. UAE residents wishing to support wildlife and nature impacted by the bushfires can donate by visiting Yalla Give.

Emirates Red Crescent is running the ‘MATES HELP MATES’ campaign, supported by Expo 2020 Dubai, which focuses on humanitarian efforts – funds donated online at www.emiratesrc.ae/en/donate.aspx will help support those affected by the bushfires