VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA (ANS) -- With huge tracts of land still smoldering and fires still raging, Youth With a Mission (YWAM) workers in southern Australia are on the frontlines caring for survivors of fires that have taken nearly 200 lives and left thousands homeless in what is being described as Australia’s “tsunami.”

The Australian fires rage on

The arson-induced fires have destroyed some 750 homes and wiped out entire bush villages north of Melbourne in what has been described as the worst natural disaster in Australia’s history. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said the acts of arson amounted to "mass murder."

YWAM Melbourne staff are caring for refugees who have lost their homes, establishing prayer booths alongside local churches, and making their skills available to overstretched government officials.

Emergency appeal

YWAM Australia’s mercy ministry, Australian Relief and Mercy Services (ARMS), has launched an emergency appeal to help get volunteers into the bush fire areas to assist in clean-up operations. Funds raised through this appeal will help pay for teams to deploy and stay in the affected areas. Excess funds will be donated to the Salvation Army bush fire relief efforts.

Donations to the appeal can be made through the ARMS website at www.arms.org.auby by credit card or PayPal. Those in the US or Canada who want a tax deduction can just click on the appropriate flag to find out more.

Please pray for the people of Victoria at this critical time.

Peter Wooding is European Bureau Chief for the Missionaries News Service -- http://www.missionariesnews.tv. He is married to Sharon and they live in North Wales with their three children. He has traveled extensively reporting from countries including Russia, Dubai, South Korea, Zambia, Gambia, Mozambique, Croatia, Israel and India. He is also the director of ASSIST Europe which is involved in helping children's projects in Vladikavkaz, Russia. For more information on ASSIST Europe, go to http://www.assisteurope.net