Humanitarian support for crises in Africa

23 July 2019

Numerous countries in Africa are facing conflict, drought, food shortages and widespread displacement. The UN reports that 237 million people in sub-Saharan Africa are suffering from chronic undernutrition and this threatens to derail gains made in the past (February 2019).

In 2018-19, Australia provided $24 million to support international relief efforts in southern Africa, Somalia and South Sudan.

$10.5 million to provide emergency food, health services and protecting the human rights and safety of affected communities in South Sudan.
$10.5 million to provide food, health services, water sanitation and hygiene and livelihoods support to communities in Somalia
$2.5 million in support to countries impacted by Cyclone Idai
$0.5m to support the World Health Organisation's Ebola response in the Democratic Republic of Congo

In addition:

$21 million of Australia's core funding to the World Food Programme for 2018-19 was allocated to 13 countries in Africa.

Video: WFP's activities in Somalia

In 2017-18 Australia provided $36.45 million to support international relief efforts in South Sudan and Somalia:

$20 million to provide emergency food, health services and protecting the human rights and safety of affected communities particularly women and girls in South Sudan.
$16.45 million to provide food, health services, water sanitation and hygiene and livelihoods support to communities in Somalia

In addition:

Almost $25 million of Australia's core funding to the World Food Programme for 2017-18 was allocated to countries in Africa.
$5 million of Australia's core funding to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees for 2017-18 was allocated to the South Sudan Regional Refugee Response.

Through Australian Government funding, Oxfam is providing canoes to displaced communities in South Sudan to enable them to obtain food distributions and medical treatment. Credit: Oxfam/Dylan Quinnell

The Australian Government is funding World Vision feeding centres in South Sudan, which have screened thousands of children and pregnant and lactating women for malnutrition. Credit: World Vision

The World Food Programme's rapid response activities provides life-saving relief in priority areas throughout South Sudan. Credit: WFP/Challiss McDonough

Core funding

Australia also provides annual core funding to trusted international humanitarian partners. This funding allows our partners to prioritise the most urgent humanitarian needs globally. For example, $21 million of Australia's 2018-19 core funding to the World Food Programme was allocated to 13 countries in Africa.

Australia's partners include: