The Sydney-based Paul Ramsay Foundation has pledged AU$30 million ($20.57 million) to help communities affected by the bushfires raging across southeastern Australia.

In a tweeted statement, the foundation expressed "its sympathy and support for the families, communities, firefighters, emergency workers, and other service providers who have been so profoundly affected by this national tragedy." Initial contributions totaling AU$3 million ($2.06 million) to the Australian Red Cross, the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal, and St Vincent de Paul Society will support "immediate relief efforts," while the remainder of the funds will be allocated for "longer-term work with disadvantaged communities."

Established in 2006 by Paul Ramsay, who served as chair of Ramsay Health Care, Prime Media Group, and the Paul Ramsay Group before his death in 2014, the foundation is focused on "breaking the cycle of disadvantage" in Australia.

"We are in this together," said Paul Ramsay Foundation CEO Glyn Davis. "The [f]oundation is acutely aware that it is those already vulnerable to entrenched disadvantaged who will be hardest hit by the consequences of the current bushfires."

(Photo credit: St Vincent de Paul Society)