• View of a burn bushland in Bilpin, Australia. The Gospers Mountain Fire reached the town of Bilpin on 21 December 2019. EPA
    View of a burn bushland in Bilpin, Australia. The Gospers Mountain Fire reached the town of Bilpin on 21 December 2019. EPA
  • View of a burn bushland in Bilpin, Australia. The Gospers Mountain Fire reached the town of Bilpin on 21 December 2019. EPA
    View of a burn bushland in Bilpin, Australia. The Gospers Mountain Fire reached the town of Bilpin on 21 December 2019. EPA
  • Plants grow back from the ashes of a bushfire-affected forest in Bilpin, Australia. The Gospers Mountain Fire reached the town of Bilpin on 21 December 2019. EPA
    Plants grow back from the ashes of a bushfire-affected forest in Bilpin, Australia. The Gospers Mountain Fire reached the town of Bilpin on 21 December 2019. EPA
  • James Tadrosse inspects burnt apple trees at his family's fruit farm in Bilpin, Australia. James stayed to protect the family farm, the Bilpin Fruit Bowl, when the Gospers Mountain Fire affected the town on 21 December 2019. The fire destroyed around 6000 fruit trees, causing an estimated damage for one million US dollar. EPA
    James Tadrosse inspects burnt apple trees at his family's fruit farm in Bilpin, Australia. James stayed to protect the family farm, the Bilpin Fruit Bowl, when the Gospers Mountain Fire affected the town on 21 December 2019. The fire destroyed around 6000 fruit trees, causing an estimated damage for one million US dollar. EPA
  • A ground staff member works under the rain at Sydney domestic airport. Heavy rain fell across parts of fire-ravaged eastern Australia and more wet weather was forecast, giving some relief following months of catastrophic blazes fuelled by climate change. AFP
    A ground staff member works under the rain at Sydney domestic airport. Heavy rain fell across parts of fire-ravaged eastern Australia and more wet weather was forecast, giving some relief following months of catastrophic blazes fuelled by climate change. AFP
  • A handout photo taken and received on January 17, 2020 from the Australian Reptile Park shows a staff member carrying koalas during a flash flood at the Australian Reptile Park in Somersby, some 50 kilometres north of Sydney. Heavy rain fell on bushfires in eastern Australia for a second straight day, offering further relief from a months-long crisis, but dozens of blazes remained out of control. AFP
    A handout photo taken and received on January 17, 2020 from the Australian Reptile Park shows a staff member carrying koalas during a flash flood at the Australian Reptile Park in Somersby, some 50 kilometres north of Sydney. Heavy rain fell on bushfires in eastern Australia for a second straight day, offering further relief from a months-long crisis, but dozens of blazes remained out of control. AFP
  • NSW Fire Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons presenting awards to Sams widow Megan, and mum, Christine during the funeral of NSW RFS volunteer firefighter Samuel McPaul at Holbrook Sports Stadium in Albury, NSW, Australia. McPaul died while he was fighting the Green Valley blaze on December 30. Getty Images
    NSW Fire Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons presenting awards to Sams widow Megan, and mum, Christine during the funeral of NSW RFS volunteer firefighter Samuel McPaul at Holbrook Sports Stadium in Albury, NSW, Australia. McPaul died while he was fighting the Green Valley blaze on December 30. Getty Images
  • Sams widow, Megan wipes away tears as she watches the casket being loaded into the hearse during the funeral of NSW RFS volunteer firefighter Samuel McPaul at Holbrook Sports Stadium in Albury, NSW, Australia. McPaul died while he was fighting the Green Valley blaze on December 30. Getty Images
    Sams widow, Megan wipes away tears as she watches the casket being loaded into the hearse during the funeral of NSW RFS volunteer firefighter Samuel McPaul at Holbrook Sports Stadium in Albury, NSW, Australia. McPaul died while he was fighting the Green Valley blaze on December 30. Getty Images
  • An aerial view as rain begins to fall on drought and fire-ravaged country near Tamworth ahead of predicted further wet weather across NSW and Victoria this week in Tamworth, Australia. Getty Images
    An aerial view as rain begins to fall on drought and fire-ravaged country near Tamworth ahead of predicted further wet weather across NSW and Victoria this week in Tamworth, Australia. Getty Images
  • Pedestrians hold umbrellas as they walk in heavy rain in Sydney's CBD, Australia. REUTERS
    Pedestrians hold umbrellas as they walk in heavy rain in Sydney's CBD, Australia. REUTERS
  • Tourists are seen looking at The Sydney Harbour Bridge in the rain in Sydney, Australia. A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for some parts of Sydney as the city experiences its wettest day in four months. The rain is welcome relief after months of bushfires which have been burning across NSW. Getty Images
    Tourists are seen looking at The Sydney Harbour Bridge in the rain in Sydney, Australia. A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for some parts of Sydney as the city experiences its wettest day in four months. The rain is welcome relief after months of bushfires which have been burning across NSW. Getty Images

Government

Australia thanks UAE for #MatesHelpMates bushfire campaign efforts

'You know who your friends really are when a trouble strikes,' said Australian Governor General David Hurley

Wam

February 11, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

The Australian Ambassador to the UAE, Heidi Venamore, has thanked the UAE for its contribution to tackling the country's bushfire crisis.

During a 'Celebrate Australia' event on Monday held by the Australian Embassy, the newly-appointed envoy said she had arrived in the country "at a time when the UAE has been demonstrating extraordinary generosity and kindness towards Australia".

"The UAE has shown us the kind of help that is effective in helping many communities deal with the onslaught of the fires," she said.

The UAE introduced several campaigns to support Australia, including the Emirates Red Crescent’s #MatesHelpMates bushfire appeal, and the efforts of the country’s airlines - Etihad Airways and Emirates Airlines.

The #MatesHelpMates grassroots movement was launched to raise funds and support people impacted by the unprecedented bushfires in Australia.

Venamore offered her "heartfelt thanks" to the UAE and "everyone who has given of themselves to help Australians in need".

Australian ambassador Heidi Venamore thanked the UAE for sending aid and donating funds for the relief effort. Khushnum Bhandari for The National
Australian ambassador Heidi Venamore thanked the UAE for sending aid and donating funds for the relief effort. Khushnum Bhandari for The National

The event saw some 300 individuals from the UAE and Australian expat community come together to celebrate UAE-Australia ties.

Also attending the event was Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, along with business people, officials and military personnel from various nations.

During her speech, Ambassador Venamore noted that ties between the two countries had "advanced to new levels."

"Our business, defence, security, aviation, education and people to people links are thriving," she said.

Currently, the UAE is Australia’s largest trading partner in the Middle East, with two-way goods and services trade reaching AU$9.8 billion (Dh24billion) during the 2018-2019 period.

The ambassador said despite the onslaught of the bushfire season, "Australia is very much working to ensure everyone knows that we are still open for business".

As of January, the reported death toll reached 33 individuals, and more than 11 million hectares (110,000 square kilometres) of bush, forest and parks across the country has burned.

A special video message by the Australian Governor General, David Hurley, was shown.

"We have a saying here in Australia, that you know who your friends really are when a trouble strikes," he said.

"The response by the UAE to the bushfire crisis in Australia strengthens an already strong relationship between us," he added.

Some 25,000 Australians currently live in the UAE, making it the ninth largest Australian overseas community.

Flash floods follow Australian bushfires - in pictures

  • A staff member carries koalas as they secure the park during flooding caused by heavy rainfall at the Australian Reptile Park in Somersby, New South Wales. REeuters
    A staff member carries koalas as they secure the park during flooding caused by heavy rainfall at the Australian Reptile Park in Somersby, New South Wales. REeuters
  • A man jumps away as car is seen traveling through flooded streets in Surry Hills as rain falls in Sydney, Australia. Getty Images
    A man jumps away as car is seen traveling through flooded streets in Surry Hills as rain falls in Sydney, Australia. Getty Images
  • A koala licks rainwater off a road near Moree, New South Wales, Australia. Reuters
    A koala licks rainwater off a road near Moree, New South Wales, Australia. Reuters
  • Pedestrians hold umbrellas as they walk in heavy rain in Sydney's central business district, New South Wales, Australia. EPA
    Pedestrians hold umbrellas as they walk in heavy rain in Sydney's central business district, New South Wales, Australia. EPA
  • Climate change protestors are seen shielding themselves from the heavy rain in Sydney's central business district, New South Wales, Australia. EPA
    Climate change protestors are seen shielding themselves from the heavy rain in Sydney's central business district, New South Wales, Australia. EPA
  • A pedestrian wears a shopping bag as a hat as they walk in heavy rain in Sydney's central business district, New South Wales, Australia. EPA
    A pedestrian wears a shopping bag as a hat as they walk in heavy rain in Sydney's central business district, New South Wales, Australia. EPA
  • Children wearing ponchos are seen as they walk in rain in Sydney's central business district, New South Wales, Australia. EPA
    Children wearing ponchos are seen as they walk in rain in Sydney's central business district, New South Wales, Australia. EPA
  • Wildlife in Busbys Pond in Centennial Park, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. EPA
    Wildlife in Busbys Pond in Centennial Park, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. EPA
  • A pedestrian holds an umbrella as they walk in heavy rain in Sydney's central business district, New South Wales, Australia. EPA
    A pedestrian holds an umbrella as they walk in heavy rain in Sydney's central business district, New South Wales, Australia. EPA
  • This image from a video shows a submerged car on Gold Coast, Australia. AP
    This image from a video shows a submerged car on Gold Coast, Australia. AP
  • This image from a video shows flooded fields on the Gold Coast, Australia. AP
    This image from a video shows flooded fields on the Gold Coast, Australia. AP
  • Pedestrians hold umbrellas as they walk in heavy rain in Sydney's central business district, New South Wales, Australia. EPA
    Pedestrians hold umbrellas as they walk in heavy rain in Sydney's central business district, New South Wales, Australia. EPA