Australia faces a huge recovery task after the recent fires. PHOTO: RED CROSS

The Supply Chain and Logistics Association of Australia (SCLAA) has offered to facilitate the provision of assistance from the freight, supply chain and logistics industries to all those in areas affected by the country's devastating fires.

Direct contacts have been established with various NGOs, government and other agencies that will be working directly with those affected by the fires and information is currently being obtained on specific requirements to assist those in the devastated areas, according to an SCLAA statement. These requirements will include road cartage of goods, interim storage, warehouse unpack facilities, supply of food, water, fuel and other essentials, earthmoving equipment, temporary housing and other equipment, supplies and transport requirements amongst others.

Since its offer to coordinate relief activity, the association has established alliances and single points of contact with a number of organisations which will assist in distributing the lists of requirements. These include Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA), Road Freight NSW, Shipping Australia Ltd (SAL) and the Australian Federation of International Freight Forwarders (AFIF).

The SCLAA has been commended for its foresight and pro-activeness in its endeavour and providing its own secretariat and administrative resources to assist with the communication process.

Recent rain across firegrounds in south-eastern Australia has slowed several blazes, but the fires continue to rage in some areas.

According to the WWF, more than 10.7 million hectares of Australian land have been burned, with at least 29 people killed and over 2,000 homes lost.

It's been estimated that around 1.25 billion animals have been killed across Australia to date. This includes thousands of koalas and other iconic species such as kangaroos, wallabies, kookaburras, cockatoos and honeyeaters burnt alive, and many thousands more injured and homeless.