Melbourne, February 25, 2009: Resettled Bhutanese in Australia have donated AUS$ 2493.00 to the local Red Cross committee as part of their support for the victims of recent bushfire in Melbourne.
Chitra Bhandari in Lanceston alone donated AUS$200.00. When asked him why he wanted to donate such a big amount, Bhandari said, his life is a donation given by Australia and what ever is in his pocket is from the Australian people, including the ones who has died and effected by fire.
Worst in the history of Australian Bush fire, the ferocious ablaze on February 7 killed at least 210 people, destroyed 200 homes and left 7,000 people displaced. The fire had begun on Melbourne’s hottest day on record, fanned by 50mph winds and fuelled by tinder-dry leaf litter.
No resettled Bhutanese caught in fire.
Message from the Bhutanese Community of Australia
In this hour of difficulty, we from the Bhutanese community in Australia would like to extend our heartfelt condolence to all the bushfire victims in Victoria . We send our sincere sympathy, thoughts, hopes and prayers to all those who have lost families, friends, relatives and property.
Before coming to Australia some ten months ago we were homeless and have lost 17 years of our valuable lives without any hope. We have experienced how it feels to be homeless and the pain of loosing family members.
In this arduous time, we are here to help you in anyway possible. Our contribution is a small token but our empathy and feelings for all the victims of bushfire are as high as the mountains.
We are here to laugh when you laugh, and cry when you cry, and together we stand as Australians to rescue you from this dreadful event by participating in the rebuilding process in every way possible.
Bhutanese Community in Australia (Adelaide, Albury, Hobart, Launceston, Melbourne Sydney and Wodonga)
As President Barack Obama said,Its time for a change??Wow see our folks today in Australia,what a drastic change?? They are now partly Australians? Lets forget Bhutan Folks?? You all have stolen identity!!! Please avoid the words Bhutanese because you guys dont deserve it??Do you all know that still some people in the camp are dying??Who will support them?? Australian government is one of the richest govt. in the world?? Your amount will be like a drop of water in the ocean for them,,,but if this amount would have been supported to some one else in the camp??It would have been Great!! Thanks apfanews??How you guys are doing financially??Must be still strong??Where is your donation page??
BTF,that is a very naive comment. You can’t keep people hostage in the camps in order to fulfill your goal. People should be free to chose where they want to go. It is only fair that the Bhutanese in Australia are contributing and sharing the sorrow of fellow citizens of the country who adopted them. I am happy that our people appreciate what their adopted country have done for them. More than maoney it is the gesture what matters. Way to go Bhotanges !!! keep up the good work !!!