Australian philanthropists John and Pauline Gandel have committed AU$1 million ($698,000) in support of emergency response efforts to the wildfires ravaging portions of the country, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.

The funds will support firefighting efforts across the states of New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, and Victoria in response to what has become one of the worst fire seasons in Australia on record. The gift also will support relief efforts by the Australian Red Cross, Salvation Army Australia, and St Vincent de Paul Society to assist communities affected by the fires, as well as efforts by the World Wildlife Fund, WIRES (NSW Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service) and MKC/The Rescue Collective to save, protect, and rehabilitate wildlife impacted by the fires.

Ranked the seventh richest person in Australia, with a fortune estimated at AU$6.45 billion ($4.49 billion), John Gandel, who co-owns the biggest mall in the Southern Hemisphere, and his wife gave AU$1 million in 2009 in response to the Black Saturday bushfire disaster in Victoria.

"The needs in this crisis far outstrip our contribution, but regardless we felt that we had to do our bit, and support as many key organizations as we can, in the hope that we can help make at least some difference to the lives of our fellow Australians devastated by this emergency," the couple said in a statement. "We also hope that this contribution will encourage others to help out in any way they can. Every donation, big or small, every hour of volunteering, and every donated food or clothing item can — and will — make a difference to those in need."

Here in the U.S., Apple CEO Tim Cook announced that the tech giant would donate an undisclosed amount in support of wildfire relief efforts in Australia. "Our hearts are with those impacted by the Australian bushfires and with the courageous volunteer force fighting the unprecedented blazes across the country — please stay safe," Cook tweeted. "Apple will be donating to support relief efforts."

(Photo credit: Salvation Army Australia)