A red sun rises over the scorched eucalyptus forests after a bushfire swept past Yackandandah in the Victoria Alps on February 10, 2009. (Torsten Blackwood/AFP/Getty Images)
Australia has welcomed an outpouring of support from global friends - and even some foes - in response to the Victorian bushfires as an "expression of our common humanity".
When tragedy haunts neighbours and allies, Australia is usually among the first to offer a hand.
And now, as the nation reels from the weekend inferno that has claimed at least 181 lives, a growing number of countries are returning the favour with messages of support and offers of assistance.
Traditional allies like the United States, Britain and New Zealand have been joined by nations like Andorra, Brazil and, even, Iran, in offering their sympathies.
US President Barack Obama called Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to offer his prayers for the people of Victoria, and the nation.
"President Obama said that we should know in Australia that the prayers of himself, his wife Michelle, their family and of the American people are with the people of Victoria, people of Australia," he told parliament.
Emergency Management Australia and the Victorian government are sorting through a growing number of offers of assistance.The US has offered the expertise of 35 American firefighting chiefs, aviation managers, planning section chiefs and specialists in land rehabilitation.
"The United States Department of the Interior is in discussions with the government of Victoria on the provision of personnel and assistance," Mr Rudd said.
New Zealand is sending 100 firefighters and Singapore has offered a fleet of Super Puma helicopters.
In a letter to Mr Rudd, Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong volunteered the helicopters currently stationed at Oakey in Queensland for the relief effort.
"We are also ready to help in any other way that we can," he said.
In a letter to Foreign Minister Stephen Smith, Japan's Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone extended "any cooperation" necessary from the Japanese.Mr Smith has also spoken to Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee, who offered assistance, and Iran's Foreign Minister Mottaki Manouchehr, who sent wishes of solidarity.
China's Assistant Foreign Affairs Minister Liu Jieyi, in Canberra for human rights discussions, offered the sympathies of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and the people of the world's most populous nation.
Countries to offer practical help include Turkey, Thailand, France and Indonesia, which has offered assistance with disaster victim identification.
Mr Rudd said Australia welcomed each of the offers of support and expressions of sympathy from around the world.
"It is good that they have come," he said."
All Victorians and all Australians should know that in this darkest hour they are not alone."