MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
I am pleased to announce funding of $2.1 million over three years to the Australian Red Cross Society to enable the deployment of Australian medical and relief personnel to emergency situations overseas.
The Australian Government funding, to be provided through AusAID, will support the Australian Red Cross's (ARC) Emergency Scheme. The scheme provides Australian medical and relief personnel to assist with the emergency operations of the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Under the scheme, which has been operating with AusAID's support since 1990, the ARC has placed 174 Australians in 26 countries. They perform a range of humanitarian relief activities, notably during times of armed conflict and in the aftermath of natural disasters.
The ARC maintains a database of qualified staff who are interested in assisting in emergencies. Recently the ARC used the database to identify appropriate personnel to form a health assessment team which assisted the Indonesian Government to gauge the impact on community health of the smoke haze from the forest fires.
Since 1990-91, the Australian Government has provided a total of $3.4 million to the ARC for the scheme. The $2.1 million announced today will fund the scheme until the year 2000.
Australia is providing this additional contribution to the ARC to allow this vital work to continue. Our relief personnel are in strong demand overseas as they are recognised for their high level of care and professionalism, when assisting displaced people and others suffering in complex emergencies.
Media contacts:
Judi Nixon (Mrs Sullivan's office) 02 6277 4381 or 0411 287 258
Michelle Hardy (AusAID) 02 6206 4968