Multicultural communities come together to aid Australian bushfire crisis

Multicultural communities have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars and provided much needed supplies and support to bushfire-ravaged communities across Australia.

The Acting Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs, Alan Tudge, met with about 50 community leaders in Sydney on Monday to thank them for their efforts.

“We often say that we are the greatest multicultural nation in the world, and what better demonstration of that than the work these communities have been doing,” Mr Tudge said.

“We’ve seen Buddhist monks giving massages to firefighters, Muslim builders putting on barbecues for survivors, Irish truck drivers delivering hundreds of thousands of litres of water, and the Sikh and Hindu communities delivering meals and essential items.

“In crises like these, it is heartening that all Australians, no matter what our background or where we were born, come together to help each other.”

Multicultural communities have also led much needed fundraising efforts, with the Australian Chinese Charity Foundation alone raising more than AUS$110,000 for the Salvation Army.

“The work of many community groups often goes unnoticed, but it’s important to recognise and acknowledge their valuable contribution,” Mr Tudge said.

“I commend all those groups who have selflessly given their time and energy to lend a hand to help fire-affected communities.

Mr Tudge will also be meeting with community leaders in Melbourne to thank them for their ongoing efforts in the Victorian bushfire emergency.

Article published 21st January 2020