Australia has committed to provide disaster assistance to Greece following the devastating fires that struck the east of Athens on Monday 23 July.

In a joint media release from Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull MP and Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop MP it was revealed that Australia will send 10 Disaster Assistance Response Team members from Fire and Rescue NSW and Victoria Fire and Emergency Services.

The team will conduct fire impact assessments in the affected areas.

“We are well placed to support Greece in recovery efforts, drawing on our experience of devastating bushfires at home,” the media release reads.

The Assistance Response Team will be supported by Crisis Response Officers from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Emergency Management Australia, who will assist Greece to plan and coordinate recovery efforts.

Mr Turnbull and Ms Bishop went on to acknowledge the “longstanding and close friendship” between the two countries.

“Our thoughts and those of the Australian people are with the people of Greece who have been affected by this catastrophic event,” they said.

“We stand together with Greece during its time of need.”

The devastating fires in Greece claimed the lives of 92 people, with over 180 injured and several still missing.

We will continue to update readers as more information becomes available.