Mining giant helps rebuild bushfire affected communities with $70m donation

Mining giant Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest has announced he’s donating $70 million to help communities affected by bushfires. Here’s what it’s going towards.

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Billionaire mining giant Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest is generously opening up his wallet for Australians affected by the bushfire crisis.

He and his wife, Nicola, have announced they are donating $70 million through their charity, the Minderoo Foundation, to provide immediate relief to communities in need.

BREAKING: Andrew 'Twiggy' Forrest announces Minderoo Foundation is donating $70 million to #bushfires appeal

$10 million - travel & accommodation for volunteers
$10 million - Recovery
$50 million - Resilience
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Source: @abcnews #auspol #AustralianBushfiresDisaster pic.twitter.com/sNRbzvG7av

— 💧🔥🐨Bee🐝 (@BelindaJones68) January 9, 2020

Speaking to reporters in Perth, Mr Forrest said $10 million would go towards assembling a “volunteer army” of more than 1200 people to help rebuild communities.

He added an additional $10 million would be spent on communities in collaboration with the Australian Red Cross and The Salvation Army Australia, and the remaining $50 million would go towards developing a “national blueprint” for fire and disaster resilience.

What’s left of a house after bushfires in Batlow, NSW. Picture: Saeed Khan

Bushfires sweeping through Stokes Bay on Kangaroo Island. Picture: David Mariuz

“With incredible courage and determination, Australians have united to help those devastated by these bushfires,” Mr Forrest said.

“We recognise that we don’t have all the answers, but we want to understand what communities need and do our bit to help them.”

An injured koala at the Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park in the Parndana on Kangaroo Island. Picture: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty

Since starting in September 2019, 27 people have died trying to escape or battle flames engulfing the country this bushfire season.

The significant national disaster – also affecting and changing the skylines of neighbouring countries with smoke haze – has scorched more than 11,400,000 hectares of land nationwide.

It has also killed more than 1.25 billion animals, destroyed more than 2100 homes and burnt down more than 3000 sheds, facilities and outhouses.

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has commenced Operation Bushfire Assist 19-20 and has stood up a Joint Task Force in New South Wales and Victoria to enhance Defence support following devastating bushfires in the South East of Australia.

A helicopter dropping water on bushfires sweeping through Stokes Bay on Kangaroo Island, southwest of Adelaide. Picture: David Mariuz

The fires are expected to continue to savage communities and further tear through the landscape for months to come.

Ms Forrest said the tragic loss of lives, the scale of destruction of homes and properties and the devastation to the landscape was difficult to comprehend.

“We hope the Minderoo Foundation’s contribution will complement existing efforts, provide hope to those hurting and encourage others to help in any way they can,” he said.

The donation comes after a series of high profile contributions from prominent Australians and overseas celebrities.

Lachlan and Sarah Murdoch have pledged $2 million dollars to recovery efforts. Their contribution will be allocated to organisations focused on rural recovery.

Billionaire James Packer and his family will donate $5 million to the national fire crisis, with the businessman personally touched by reports of devastation for so many families and wildlife on both sides of the continent.

Music legend Elton John announced $1 million to the bushfire relief effort during his epic farewell tour.