NEWS

Dalai Lama Expresses Sorrow Over Bushfire Devastation in Australia

By Craig Lewis | | Buddhistdoor Global

His Holiness the Dalai Lama last week voiced dismay over the devastation and loss of life experienced in Australia in recent months as firefighters and emergency workers have fought tirelessly against a series of massive bushfires that have raged across the country since last year. “It is simply heart-wrenching to see reports of these ferocious infernos, while the personal bravery of so many volunteers who have come together as firefighters is an inspiration,” the Tibetan spiritual leader wrote in a letter to Australian prime minister Scott Morrison. “I offer my condolences to the families of those who have died and to the many people who have lost their homes in these fires.” (His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet) Although Australia has always had bushfires, the 2019–20 bushfire season has resulted in a series of unusually intense wildfires that are still burning across the country, touching all six states, with the worst devastation seen in southeast Australia. An estimated 107,000 square kilometers of land has been razed by the fires—more than the entire land area of South Korea. As of 13 January, 28 people have been reported killed since October 2019 in bushfire-related incidents, with some 5,900 buildings destroyed, including more than 2,200 homes. An estimated one billion animals have also perished, and scientists fear that and some endangered species may be driven to extinction.

Thousands of pounds of carrots and sweet potatoes were airdropped across New South Wales. https://t.co/ZU3kBOAwTH — HuffPost (@HuffPost) January 13, 2020

“It is . . . becoming increasingly clear that a great number of birds and animals have died in the fires—this is also very distressing,” said His Holiness. “I would like to commend your government and the respective state governments for the measures they have taken to provide victims with necessary support and assistance.” (His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet) In an effort to distribute food to fire-affected wildlife, thousands of kilograms of vegetables have been airdropped over remote corners of New South Wales in a mission dubbed Operation Rock Wallaby. Carrots, sweet potatoes, and other vegetables have been dropped from helicopters to population centers of brush-tailed rock wallabies and other wildlife in a bid to sustain them during the emergency. The Australian government committed A$50 million (US$34.6 million) to a wildlife recovery fund, describing the bushfire crisis as “an ecological disaster” that threatens the survival of several species, including rock wallabies and koalas. Images and footage of burned kangaroos, koalas, and possums, and people risking their lives to save local wildlife, have gone viral on social media. “I am heartened by the generous solidarity being shown by the global community for those who have been affected. Disasters like this remind us that humanity is one community,” observed His Holiness, a vocal advocate for environmental sustainability. “Even on an individual level, each and every one of us must take steps to counter global warming.” (His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet)

Building Impact Assessment teams continue assessing damage to properties. This season 2,162 homes destroyed, and over 24,000 buildings saved. 1,246 homes have been lost since 1 Jan. This figure is likely to increase as teams continue to work through the area. #nswrfs #nswfires pic.twitter.com/np4rrhgwma — NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) January 13, 2020