MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
Following ongoing assessment of the situation in South West Asia, Australia
will commit a further $9 million towards the delivery of humanitarian assistance
to displaced and refugee populations in South West Asia. This funding is
additional to the initial $14.3 million I announced on 23 September.
This commitment is a result of the deepening crisis as people movements
increase across the region. Latest reports indicate there are between five and
six million vulnerable people inside Afghanistan and this is in addition to 3.5
million Afghan refugees already living in Iran and Pakistan. In recent weeks it
is reported that approximately 20,000 Afghans entered Pakistan.
My announcement today includes a number of initiatives, ranging from support
for Australian Non Government Organisations (NGOs) providing emergency
assistance, support for international aid agencies and the purchase and delivery
of Australian commodities to help feed displaced people.
Emergency food supplies will remain an urgent priority over coming months in
Afghanistan and surrounding countries. The Australian Government will assist by
purchasing 7,200 tonnes of Australian grown and milled wheat-flour, valued at
approximately $5 million.
Australian NGOs can offer considerable support at the community level in the
current crisis and, accordingly, I have decided to make available $1 million to
assist the operations of Australian NGOs contributing to the overall
humanitarian response for Afghanistan. The $1 million is to be distributed
equally between Australian Red Cross, Care Australia, Oxfam Community Aid Abroad
and UNICEF Australia.
The third component of today's announcement of $9 million is the allocation
of funds to those international agencies best placed to deliver effective
humanitarian relief in the region at this point in time. $500,000 will assist
the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) to
perform the critical task of coordinating humanitarian activities across the
region; $2 million will be allocated to the International Committee of the Red
Cross (ICRC) which is delivering food, medicines and emergency medical
facilities both inside Afghanistan and in neighbouring countries, and a further
$500,000 will go to the International Organisation for Migration which is
providing tents, blankets, cooking utensils and warm clothing for vulnerable
children inside Afghanistan and across South West Asia.
I am keen to see Australia play an active role in this major humanitarian
crisis and have dispatched several senior officials overseas to work closely
with the various international agencies coordinating relief efforts. These
initiatives demonstrate Australia's continuing commitment to supporting
refugees, internally displaced people and other vulnerable groups, bringing
Australia's contributions since the crisis began to $23.3 million.
Media contacts:
Matt Francis (Ministerial) 02 6277 7500 / 0419 206
890
Fionna Douglas (AusAID) 02 6206 4960 / 0412 804 489