MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
The Hon Duncan Kerr SC MP Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs
A child floats down a flooded river clutching a raft after a flood, an elephant moves wreckage from a home destroyed by a tsunami and a man is pulled from rubble after an earthquake - these are just some of the images in a unique photographic exhibition being opened in Hobart today by Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs, the Hon Duncan Kerr SC MP.
Relief in Sight is a compelling display of 68 photographs reflecting Australia's international commitment to rebuilding people's lives and alleviate their suffering after disaster strikes.
'The exhibition is offering Tasmanians a rare insight into the role of volunteers and relief workers in restoring communities following disasters in the Asia-Pacific region,' Mr Kerr said.
'Poverty significantly increases people's vulnerability to emergencies and disasters.
'Without financial assistance from international donors such as AusAID, it is extremely difficult for communities to recover from a disaster. The loss of tools and essential work animals as well as the destruction and devastation caused to infrastructure, land and livelihoods is unimaginable,' Mr Kerr said.
The Australian Government provides assistance each year to communities affected by around 30 humanitarian emergencies including tropical cyclones, floods, landslides, droughts, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and tsunamis. Many of these disasters occur close by - in the Pacific, such as the Solomon Islands tsunami in April 2007.
- The Australian Government provided nearly $3 million to assist about 20,000 people - sending in medical teams to help with disease prevention and sanitation. We provided funding for supplies such as water purifying tablets, mosquito nets and emergency medical field packs to support local hospitals. Australia and New Zealand assisted non-government organisations to rebuild private housing lost during the tsunami.
Relief in Sight explores the vulnerability and the strength of those affected by disasters. One image that highlights this is 'Unbroken' which tells the story of a young boy who bravely returned to his destroyed home in search of lost toys following the tsunami in the Solomons.
The Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) developed the exhibition with the help of its relief partners including World Vision, Australian Red Cross, SurfAid International, Red R Australia, Caritas Australia and Oxfam Australia. The exhibition features a series of images of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami by award-winning Australian photographers Stephen Dupont and Rob Maccoll.
More information can be found at: www.reliefinsight.com.au
Note: The exhibition will be on public display at the Northgate Shopping Centre in Hobart from 5 - 10 July.
Contacts:
Relief in Sight exhibition publicity: Jemma Gabb (Bay Street Mediaworks) 0424 726 365
Media Contacts: Brian Mitchell (Mr Kerr's Office) (03) 6234 5255 or 0434 160 539
AusAID Media (02) 0417 680 590