The Australian Agency 
for
International Development
(AusAID)

Submission to the 
Joint Standing Committee on 
Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade

Inquiry into Australia’s Relationship
 With the Countries of Africa

18 March 2010

TERMS OF REFERENCE

The Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade shall inquire into and report on Australia's relationship with Africa, with special emphasis on:

•	Bilateral relations at the parliamentary and government levels;
•	Economic issues, including trade and investment;
•	Cultural, scientific and educational relations and exchanges;
•	Development assistance cooperation and capacity building;
•	Defence co-operation, regional security and strategic issues; and
•	Migration and human rights issues.

The Committee will consider both the current situation and opportunities for the future

Table of Contents

Executive Summary…………………………………………………..……..	5
Overview of Key AusAID Programs…………………………..……	6

Africa Development Context…………………………………………..…….	9

Australian Aid Program to Africa……………………………………………	11

Agriculture and Food Security…………………………………………..…..	11

Water and Sanitation……………………………………………………..….	13

Maternal and Child Health……………………………………………..……	14

Non-Government Organisations…………………………………………….	16

Capacity Building…………………………………………………….……..	17
Minerals and Energy……………………………………………..….	19
Aid for Trade…………………………………………………..…….	19

Building Human Resource capacity………………………………………....	20
Scholarships……………………………………………………..…..	20
Basic Education…………………………………………………..…	20
Volunteers.……………………………………………………..……	21
Community Sports…………………………………………….…….	21

Humanitarian Assistance…………………………………………………..…	22

Climate Change…………………………………………………………..….	23
Disaster Risk Reduction……………………………………………...	24

Peace-Building…………………………………………………………..…..	24
Human Rights…………………………………………………….…	25
Mine Action…………………………………………………………	25

Zimbabwe……………………………………………………………………	25

Cross Sectoral Support………………………………………………………	27
Disability ……………………………………………………………	27
Gender……………………………………………………………….	28
HIV/AIDS …………………………………………………………..	28

Staffing Resources………………………………………………………..…	29

Appendices

Appendix 1	Multi-lateral Partnerships…………………………………….	30

Appendix 2	Millennium Development Goals: 2009 Progress Chart……..	33

Glossary

ACC		Australian Civilian Corps 
ASC		Australian Sports Commission 
ACIAR	Australia Centre for International Agricultural Research
AECF		Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund
AFP		Australian Federal Police
AGD		Attorney General’s Department 
APAC 		Australian Partnerships with African Communities 
AUSTRAC	Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre
AVI		Australian Volunteers International 
AYAD		Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development 
CARI 		Children and AIDS Regional Initiative (UNICEF’s Eastern and
Southern Africa)
CAADP 	Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme 
DFID		Department for International Development (UK)
DRC		Democratic Republic of Congo
ICRC		The International Committee of the Red Cross
GEF		Global Environment Facility 
ODA 		Official Development Assistance 
MDG  		Millennium Development Goal 
MOU		Memorandum of Understanding 
NGO		Non-Government Organisations
PEPFAR	US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief 
RFS		Rural Fire Service (NSW)
SADC		Southern Africa Development Community 
UNDP		United Nations Development Programme
UNICEF	United Nations Children’s Fund
UNHCR	United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
UNFPA	United Nations Population Fund
WFP		World Food Programme 
WTO		World Trade Organisation

Executive Summary

African states comprise 33 of the world’s 49 Least Developed Countries (LDCs), as defined by the United Nations.  LDCs are characterised by extreme poverty, economic vulnerability and low indicators in nutrition, health and education.  The World Bank has assessed that, in.2008, over 390 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa were living below the internationally accepted poverty line of US$1.25 (A$1.93) a day.

The majority of the countries in Sub-Saharan Africa are not on track to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by the target date of 2015.  Africa lags behind other regions in progress towards the MDGs.  The goals around poverty and hunger (MDG 1), health (MDGs 4, 5, and 6) and environment (MDG 7) are particularly off track.  Gender equality is also of concern with fewer female students than males advancing to secondary and tertiary education and limited employment opportunities for women.  

Sustained and effective international engagement will be required for the foreseeable future to assist African countries to tackle their development challenges.  Recognising this, the Australian Government, in December 2008, made a commitment to broaden and deepen engagement with Africa, including through increased humanitarian and development assistance.

In his address to the Executive Council of the African Union (29 January 2009), the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Stephen Smith, outlined that Australia wants to be part of Africa’s future, ‘in ways where our expertise and experience can make a unique and positive contribution’ and that Australian contributions will be designed to support Africa’s efforts to promote economic growth and prosperity through investment and trade, to accelerate Africa’s progress towards the Millennium Development Goals, and to address Africa’s peace and security challenges. 

The aid program can be most effective where its efforts are aligned with African governments and institutions, multilateral partners and other donors. Australia will contribute our expertise and experience in the areas of agriculture and food security, maternal and child health and water and sanitation to address relevant MDGs.  

Australia’s aid program will also help build Africa’s human resource capacity through scholarships and targeted technical assistance to address niche African development priorities such as public sector reform and mining governance.  Australia is also making a significant contribution to international responses to humanitarian emergencies and protracted relief efforts in Zimbabwe, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan and the Horn of Africa. 

Australia’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) to Africa increased from $101.0 million in 2007-08 to $163.9 million in 2009-10, which represents 4.3 per cent of current total Australian ODA.  More than 30 African countries will receive Australian bilateral development assistance in 2009-10; this will likely increase to more than 40 countries when support provided through multilateral and regional channels is included.

Overview of Key AusAID Programs

This submission outlines how AusAID is implementing the Government’s commitment to support Africa’s progress towards achieving the MDGs through bilateral, regional and multilateral initiatives.  This commitment was outlined by the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Stephen Smith, at the United Nations High Level Meeting on Africa's Development Needs (28 September 2008) as a ‘drive to accelerate progress towards the Millennium Development Goals in Africa, playing a role concentrating on our areas of comparative advantage’. 

Agriculture and Food Security

In Sub-Saharan Africa, one in three people suffers from chronic hunger – the lowest level of food security in the world.  Agricultural development and improved food security are fundamental to Africa’s ability to reach MDG 1, eradicating extreme poverty and hunger.  Australia’s expertise and experience in agricultural research and dryland agriculture could significantly contribute towards assisting African countries to achieve greater agricultural productivity.

In his 2009 Africa Day (25 May) address, Minister Smith announced that Australia will provide $100 million over four years to improve food security in Africa through support to research, the opening up of rural markets and increased crop and livestock productivity.  Assistance will also be provided at a community level through non-government organisations (NGOs), as well as a focus on supporting the rehabilitation of agricultural productivity in Zimbabwe.  AusAID's programs will build on past assistance provided through Australian NGOs and interventions undertaken by the Australia Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR).

Water and Sanitation

UNICEF and WHO data indicates 42 per cent of people living in Sub-Saharan African countries do not have access to safe drinking water, whilst 69 per cent of those populations do not have access to basic sanitation. 

Africa is a key recipient of the $300 million Water and Sanitation budget initiative (announced in the 2008-09 budget).  

Australia is supporting the World Bank to implement a regional water and sanitation program benefiting 12 countries, and through funding to Australian NGOs is delivering community level water and sanitation programs in Kenya, Malawi, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.  Support will also be provided bilaterally to help build infrastructure and investments to increase access to clean water and sanitation services; and through funding to key regional and global partners.  Australia will provide at least $10 million to Africa over two years through the Civil Society Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Fund, a special fund that targets the poorest and most vulnerable by working at the community level.

Maternal and Child Health

While there has been some progress in the health-related MDGs, Africa as a continent is off-track to meet MDG 4 (reduce child mortality) and MDG 5 (improve maternal health).  On average, one in every six children in Sub-Saharan Africa dies before the age of five and, in 2007, half of the world’s under-five deaths occurred in Africa.  The lifetime risk of maternal death in Africa is one in 26, four times higher than in Asia and more than 300 times higher than in industrialised countries.

Australia has a long-standing partnership with the Hamlin Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital in Ethiopia, and is providing support for the expansion of the Hospital’s Midwifery College and the establishment of 25 rural maternal health clinics.  Through a partnership with UNICEF, Australia has assisted more than 350,000 orphans and vulnerable children in Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania to access education, health care, water and sanitation, and nutrition services.  

An enhanced maternal and child health program will focus on health workforce training (particularly midwifery).  Efforts will be directed in particular to countries where need is significant and where partner governments are demonstrating strong political commitment to MDGs 4 and 5. The initiative will build on long-standing Australian support, including the work of the Hamlin Fistula Hospital, and develop new partnerships, especially where these facilitate sharing Australian expertise.  

Non-Government Organisations 

Non Government Organisations (NGOs) promote community-level engagement and can be highly effective partners in humanitarian assistance and delivering services to vulnerable groups.  Australian NGOs have longstanding connections, expertise and experience in Africa and are an important delivery partner for the Australian aid program.  In 2009-10, Australia will provide more than $21 million to more than 20 Australian NGO partners working in community development programs in 19 African countries.  This includes support provided through the Australian Partnerships with African Communities (APAC) program and through the current AusAID – NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP).  

Australia-Africa Partnerships Facility

Improved human resource capacity is critical to Africa’s longer-term development.  Many African countries are constrained from making development progress due to inadequate regulatory frameworks, poor governance and lack of technical skills.  

The new Australia-Africa Partnerships Facility, announced by Minister Smith at the 2009 Africa Down Under Conference, will build on the earlier Australia-Africa Governance Facility program, and further enable Australia to increase the capacity of African governments and institutions.  This will be done by establishing effective partnerships between Australian and African institutions and short–term professional development programs.  The Facility will respond to areas identified as priorities by African countries such as public policy including trade policy, economic governance and public sector reform, agriculture and natural resource management (in particular mining). 
Activities already supported under the Facility include the provision of macroeconomic advice to assist the Seychelles response to the global economic crisis, support for South Africa to lead the development of a climate change plan of action for the Southern African Development Community countries and assistance to build the skills of customs and revenue officials in Ethiopia.

Scholarships

Australian Government scholarships equip Africans with the skills and knowledge to drive change and influence the development of their own country.  In his 2009 address to the African Union, Minister Smith announced that ‘Australia will increase by up to ten-fold our scholarships and fellowships to students from across Africa – including in agriculture, mining, maternal and child healthcare, and water and sanitation.  This will see up to 1,000 scholarships and fellowships available to young African students’.  The number of Australian scholarships will double from 109 in the 2009 intake to more than 250 in the 2010 intake. By 2012-13, there will be a tenfold increase (from 2008) in long and short-term Australian scholarships awarded across Africa, to 1,000 per year.

Volunteers 

Australian volunteers play an important role in building people-to-people links between Australia and the people of Africa, as well as contributing to capacity building. Volunteers also raise Australia’s profile at the community level, supporting sectoral program engagements such as maternal and child health.  In 2010, Australia will significantly increase volunteer numbers in Africa, including sending Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development to Africa for the first time.

Community Sports

Australia, through the medium of sport, has worked at the community level to encourage life skills and social networks, integral to stable communities.  The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) has been a key partner working to develop township/community-based clubs in South Africa, Swaziland and Botswana.  The Australian Sports Outreach Program assists a number of countries in Africa to develop community sports aimed at broadening the life-skills of participants.

Humanitarian Assistance

Humanitarian pressures in Africa continue to escalate due to political crises, armed conflict, increasing impacts of climate change, high food prices and the global financial crisis.  The Australian aid program will continue to be responsive to requests for humanitarian assistance in Africa.  

Australia has a history of providing humanitarian relief to countries in need across Africa.  Australia has provided almost $100 million to Sudan since 2004; $9.25 million to Somalia since 2005; $12.5 million to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) since 2006; $14.5 million to Kenya since 2006; and $11.5 million to Ethiopia since 2007.  This support was primarily provided through multilateral organisations and NGOs.  

Africa Development Context 

While African economies have grown at unprecedented rates in recent years and economic management has improved, Africa remains the world’s most impoverished continent.  Progress achieved in recent years has been uneven and gains remain fragile.  

Sub-Saharan Africa is the region in the world most behind in terms of achieving the MDGs.  Even before the onset of the global financial crisis, most African countries were not likely to meet their MDG targets, with most countries well below the trajectory required to halve poverty by 2015 (See Appendix 2 – MDG Progress).  According to a 2008 World Bank study, over 390 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa are living below the internationally accepted poverty line of US$1.25 (A$1.93) a day.  
(See Table 1 - MDG 1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger) 

Progress towards the MDGs is particularly poor in the areas of hunger, health (child mortality, maternal health, HIV/AIDS and malaria) and environment (including water and sanitation).  Natural disasters, conflicts, HIV/AIDS, corruption and the likely severe impact of climate change all hinder development efforts.  Humanitarian and political crises persist in countries such as Sudan and Somalia, while instability and poor governance continue in others.

Table 1:  MDG 1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
[this graphic has been removed from file]
Source: 2010 World Bank Global Monitoring Information System – Millennium Development 
Goals Sub Saharan Africa 2010

Economic growth is key to poverty reduction, and in recent years, African economies have been performing more strongly, achieving good growth rates due to improved macroeconomic policies, favourable commodity prices, and significant increases in aid and capital flows.  (Africa’s best 15 performing countries averaged growth rates of 5.3 per cent for more than a decade). Consequently, many countries were able to capitalize on this growth trend and to allocate increased resources toward basic social services.  This led to some progress towards the MDGs.  According to a World Bank report, the poverty rate in Africa fell from 59 percent in 1996 to 51 per cent in 2005.  However, progress has been uneven and gains remain fragile.  Furthermore, the global economic crisis is threatening to reverse many of the advances made.  

The global recession has impacted Africa, reducing estimated GDP growth to only 1.1 per cent for the Africa region as a whole in 2009, down from an average of 5 per cent in the preceding year.  The reduction in growth across the region risks increased unemployment and poverty; a reduction in the provision of social services; and increased vulnerability to environmental degradation.

Most recently, the January 2010 IMF World Economic Outlook Update forecasts growth in 2010 of 4.3 per cent, both continent wide and in Sub-Saharan Africa (while noting considerable variance across countries). This is largely attributed to a rebound of commodity prices (due to the buoyant recovery in emerging Asia), to the onset of recovery in other emerging and developing economies more generally, and to the improvement in global financial conditions. This will support growth in commodity producing countries and promotes a more positive outlook in preventing a reversal of gains made over the past decade.

Table 2:  Lead donors to Africa
Top 10 ODA Donors to Africa
USD million, net disbursements in 2008	
1.    United States	 7 202	16%	
2.    EU Institutions	 6 012	14%	
3.    IDA 	 4 053	9%	
4.    France	 3 370	8%	
5.    Germany	 2 703	6%	
6.    United Kingdom	 2 594	6%	
7.    AIDF	 1 625	4%	
8.    Japan	 1 571	$%	
9.    Netherlands	 1 516	3%	
10.  Global Fund	 1 372	3%	
       Other Donors	11 986	27%	
			
       Total	44 005	100%	
Source - OEDC Development at a Glance, Statistics by Region, Africa, 2010 Edition

Historically, Australia’s assistance to Africa has been smaller than comparable countries and geographically targeted to Southern and East Africa.  Aid flows prior to end 2008 were less than one per cent of all aid to Africa.  Even with Australia’s trajectory of significantly increasing ODA to Africa, Australia’s contribution will remain comparatively modest.   (See Table 2 - Top 10 ODA Donors above)  

Australian Aid Program to Africa

Australia's aid to Africa can make a significant contribution to African progress towards key Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).  In order to have impact on these goals assistance must capitalise on Australia’s comparative advantage, build on investments and achievements to date, respond to niche development opportunities and maximise aid efficiency and effectiveness. 

To support Africa’s progress towards the MDGs, the aid program focuses on the key priority areas of agriculture and food security, maternal and child health, water and sanitation.  Additionally, it aims to build Africa’s human resource capacity through scholarships and targeted technical assistance.

Australia recognises the importance of partners in delivering our expanded aid program.  Australia has developed strong and effective partnerships with key multilateral organisations in areas such as health, HIV and water and sanitation, and in responding to humanitarian issues.  (See Appendix 1 - Multi-lateral Partnerships)  These partners will continue to be important delivery mechanisms for Australia’s development assistance. 

As part of our commitment to African-led development, Australia is developing partnerships with established and effective African organisations.  For example, the African Development Bank, regional economic organisations such as the Economic Community of Western African States (ECOWAS), and African agricultural institutions such as the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) which serve to advance collective African interests. 

Working through multilateral and regional partners spreads the reach and impact of Australia’s aid program and provides Australia with greater access to policy dialogue.  Australia is also complementing this through direct, targeted bilateral engagement on priority sectors, further strengthening bilateral relationships.  Australia will also continue to develop effective partnerships with other like‑minded bilateral donors where it makes sense to do so. 

Agriculture and Food Security

Sub-Saharan Africa is the most food insecure region in the world with one in three people suffering from chronic hunger.  Progress towards improving MDG1 targets (eradicate extreme hunger and poverty) remains a priority.  Recently, rising food prices, increased fuel costs and the global recession have worsened the food security situation across the region.  In 2009, hunger rose 6 per cent in Sub-Saharan Africa as a result of the global financial crisis. The number of undernourished people has been rising for the past decade, mainly due to population growth and demand from the developing world. Sub-Saharan Africa (together with South Asia) has the highest proportion of malnourished people in the world.

Agriculture underpins the achievement of both food security and economic growth, and agricultural productivity in Africa over the past 40 years has not kept pace with population growth.  

Australia has had a long-standing engagement in the agricultural sector in Africa. Australia has funded Australian NGOs working at the community level to improve incomes for small farmers, increase productivity, support rural credit and savings and develop alternative incomes.  Funding has also been provided for niche projects such as Newcastle disease prevention and the Australian-based LandCare model.  The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) has a long engagement in Africa, with over 40 projects completed in southern Africa since 1983.  ACIAR also has a small program in southern Africa which emphasises income generation in crop and livestock systems for disadvantaged farmers in the Republic of South Africa (RSA).  

In response to the global food crisis, in May 2009, the Government announced that it will spend $464 million over four years to encourage greater food security globally. As part of the initiative, Australia will provide $100 million over four years to improve food security in Africa.  Australia’s food security program is aligned with the Africa Union's Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program (CAADP), a framework to harness African resources for national and regional agricultural development.  

This initiative is organised around three pillars 

(i)	increasing agricultural productivity through increased investments in agricultural research and development
(ii)	improving rural livelihoods by helping to address market failures that hinder economic development in rural areas; and
(iii)	building resilience of communities most vulnerable to food insecurity by supporting social protection mechanisms such as school feeding programs.

Management of the initiative is shared between AusAID ($83.3 million) and ACIAR ($16.7 million).  

The focus of AusAID’s food security program in this year and next will be on establishing new partnerships in the areas of agricultural research and market development, with key regional organisations aligned with CAADP -CORAF/WECARD (West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development; BecA (Biosciences East and Central Africa); and ACTESA: (Alliance for Commodity Trade Eastern and Southern Africa).  Australia will provide short-term capacity building assistance to these organisations, in order to support a substantially scaled up program in later years.  CSIRO is finalising partnership with both CORAF/WECARD and BecA.  

Under the initiative, ACIAR will implement a $20 million maize-legume food security project in southern and eastern Africa (Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania) with CIMMYT (the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre).  (For further information regarding ACIAR’s activities in Africa see the separate ACIAR Submission to this Inquiry.)  Program planning for the initiative’s third pillar, building resilience of communities most vulnerable to food insecurity, will commence in 
2010-11.

Separately, Australia is also working with non government organisations and civil society on community level food security and nutrition programs.  (See Non Government Organisations in this Submission.)

Additionally, Australia has a significant focus on food security in Zimbabwe.  (See Zimbabwe Program in this Submission).

Water and Sanitation

Based on latest data, 42 per cent of people living in Sub-Saharan African countries do not have access to safe water, whilst 69 per cent of those populations do not have access to basic sanitation.  Australia recognises that improved access to clean water and effective sanitation is central to human wellbeing and plays an important part in social and economic development.  

Historically, Australia has supported community projects in Southern and East Africa through Australian NGOs and, in partnership with the World Bank, helped governments develop water and sanitation strategies and raise financing for the water sector. Australia is intensifying efforts to support Africa’s progress towards the MDG 7 targets on water and sanitation.    

Africa is a key recipient of the $300 million Water and Sanitation budget initiative (announced in the 2008-09 budget).  Support will be provided bilaterally to help build infrastructure and investments to increase access to clean water and sanitation services; and through funding to key regional and global mechanisms, enabling broader geographic engagement. 

Australia will particularly focus on infrastructure investments aimed at improving access to clean water and sanitation in smaller cities, towns and market centres, identified as a key area of unmet need. Australia will provide $5 million in 2009-10 to improve access to clean water in Mozambique, focusing on small to medium sized townships.  Mozambique was selected as a prime focus given it has the lowest reported water and sanitation coverage in Eastern and Southern Africa after Ethiopia. 

Table 3:  MDG 7. Access to Improved Water and Sanitation 
[this graphic has been removed from file]

Source: 2010 World Bank Global Monitoring Information System – Millennium Development 
Goals Sub Saharan Africa 2010

Our support will also be channelled through regional initiatives, to enable a broader geographic coverage.  These initiatives aim to strengthen water and sanitation sector policies, practices, and resource management to ensure services meet the needs of poor people in sub-Saharan Africa. An example of this is our ongoing support for the World Bank’s Water and Sanitation Program, which works with selected African countries to build their capacity to deliver sustainable water and sanitation services. Australia has provided $5.5 million to the World Bank Water and Sanitation Program since 2006. Australia is also exploring ways to align our work in water and sanitation with the efforts of the African Minister’s Council on Water (AMCOW), to enable us to deliver programs that meet the priorities of African governments.

Australia has also committed to provide at least $10 million to Africa over two years through AusAID’s Civil Society Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Fund. This Fund supports Australian and international NGOs to implement community level water and sanitation activities in areas not served by other water and sanitation service providers. This program focuses on poor urban settlements, and remote and island areas.

Maternal and Child Health

While there has been some progress in the health-related MDGs, Africa as a whole is off-track to meeting MDGs 4 and 5 (reduce child mortality and improve maternal health).  The 10 countries with the least progress in the world towards MDG 4 are in Sub-Saharan Africa, and MDG 5 has experienced the least progress globally. The Horn of Africa in particular has some of the world’s starkest indicators for child and maternal mortality and poor overall maternal and child health.  On average, 1 in every 6 children in Sub-Saharan Africa dies before the age of 5 and, in 2007, half of the world’s under-five deaths occurred in Africa.  Additionally, the lifetime risk of maternal death in Africa is 1 in 26, four times higher than in Asia and more than 300 times higher than in industrialised countries.  (See Table 4 - MDG 4. Reduce Child Mortality and Table 5-:  MDG 5. Improve Maternal Health below).

Australia’s health-related assistance in southern and eastern Africa to date has largely focused on support for mothers and children living with HIV/AIDS, including HIV prevention, care and advocacy. Australia is working with international partners to reduce child mortality and improve the quality of life in children, recognising the importance of psychosocial support and broader social welfare to those affected by HIV/AIDS.  Australia, together with DFID, is supporting UNICEF’s Eastern and Southern Africa Children and AIDS Regional Initiative (CARI) to assist over 300,000 orphans and vulnerable children in Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania. 

Table 4:  MDG 4. Reduce Child Mortality 
[this graphic has been removed from file]

Source: 2010 World Bank Global Monitoring Information System – Millennium Development 
Goals Sub Saharan Africa 2010

In the Horn of Africa, support has focused on obstetric fistula and sexual and reproductive health in post-crisis situations. In Ethiopia, Australia has been a major contributor to the work of the Addis Ababa Hamlin Fistula Hospital, for the treatment of obstetric fistula and midwifery training, since 1984.  With Australia’s support, the hospital treats more than 2,500 women each year.  Australia is also supporting UNFPA and WHO’s work in Southern Sudan in treating obstetric fistula and providing midwifery training and other maternal health services.

Table 5:  MDG 5. Improve Maternal Health 
[this graphic has been removed from file]

Source: 2010 World Bank Global Monitoring Information System – Millennium Development 
Goals Sub Saharan Africa 2010

The aid program is developing an expanded maternal and child health initiative in Africa, as part of the Australian Government’s commitment to support international efforts to improve progress on MDGs 4 and 5.   Australia can make a difference by aligning our support with countries that demonstrate strong commitment in this area, and strategically harmonising our assistance with donors and programs that are already having an impact. 

A proposed focus of the assistance in Africa will be health workforce training (particularly midwifery).  Efforts will be focused in particular on countries where the needs are significant but whose governments are demonstrating strong political commitment to MDGs 4 and 5. The initiative will build on existing Australian support in this area, and include new partnerships and linkages, especially where these facilitate sharing Australian expertise in this area.  

Non Government Organisations

Non Government Organisations (NGOs) promote community-level engagement and can be highly effective in humanitarian assistance and delivering services to vulnerable groups where government assistance is not as effective.  Partnership with Australian NGOs is a key element of Australia’s engagement with Africa, and complements assistance at the bilateral, regional and multilateral levels.  Australian NGOs have longstanding connections, expertise and experience in Africa – they have led Australian engagement in development issues in Africa and have long experience.  In 2008, Australians gave over $200 million in private donations to NGOs working in Africa.

Australian NGOs are an important delivery partner for Australian aid to Africa.  The Australian Partnerships with African Communities (APAC) program, ($60 million: 2004-10) program supports six Australian NGOs in seven countries (Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe).  Its goal is to contribute to poverty reduction and achieve sustainable development in targeted countries in southern and eastern Africa with a particular focus on food security, communicable diseases (including HIV), and water and sanitation.

A review of the APAC Program undertaken in September 2009 found strong examples of positive achievements as a result of activities in health (through water and sanitation interventions), food and nutrition security (through small scale irrigation, seed banks, food stores etc) and income protection (through village savings and loans, increased production and diversification in crops and livestock).  Additionally, the review highlighted that activities had resulted in strengthened capacities of national partners including systems of governance, financial and project management, increased collaboration and linkages between government, civil society organisations and communities and improvement in quality of services.  Improvements were also noted in community knowledge (for instance on HIV prevention); attitudes (for instance in relation to inclusion of women and children; and reduced stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV); and practice (for instance reduced domestic violence and community conflict; and increased adherence to AIDS treatment drugs).

Separately, Australia co-funds Australian NGOs own development and poverty alleviation programs around the world. The AusAID - NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP), supports major Australian NGOs who share a commitment to strengthening local communities and working in difficult conditions.  In 2009-10, the Program will provide more than $11 million in support to 21 NGO partners working in more than 19 countries in Africa.  Projects supported through the Program address issues as diverse as agriculture, microfinance, sanitation, disease and disability

Capacity Building

Building human resource capacity is critical to Africa’s longer-term development.  Many African countries are constrained from making development progress due to inadequate regulatory frameworks, poor governance and lack of technical skills.  Australia, through the earlier Australia-Africa Governance Facility, responded to African governments’ requests for training to contribute to the development and implementation of a range of governance-related initiatives including trade liberalisation and reform, and anti-corruption.  

The Australia-Africa Partnerships Facility will build on this earlier program and further enable Australia to address African requests to develop the capacity of African governments and institutions.  Through the Facility, Australia will be able to respond to areas identified as priorities by African countries such as public policy including trade policy, economic governance and public sector reform, agriculture and natural resource management (in particular mining).

The Facility will provide opportunities to develop links between Australia and Africa.  It will also have the flexibility to respond more broadly to other areas of African development needs such as private sector development, peace building and conflict prevention through both bilateral and multilateral activities

Depending on the request received, the Facility will work to develop:
•	Partnerships and exchanges between Australian and African organisations, both government and non-government;
•	Short-term professional development programs delivered by international financial institutions (IFIs), public sector and private sector bodies;
•	Workshops and training;
•	Grant funding for capacity building activities implemented by other organisations;
•	Joint research; and
•	Short-term placement Australian specialists or volunteers to work alongside and mentor African officials;

A number of activities are already underway to address requests for assistance from African countries.  The following examples illustrate the flexibility of the Facility in applying strategic technical assistance.

•	In response to the devastating fires in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve in Botswana in October 2008, Botswana and Australia agreed that Australia would provide technical assistance in fire management.  A five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) and the Government of Botswana in fire management capacity building was agreed and Australia has so far has enabled the training and equipping of 630 Botswanan fire fighters for basic fire management. 
 
•	Australia supported 15 senior managers of the Ethiopian Revenue and Customs Authority to undertake an on-line master’s degree course in International Customs Law and Revenue Administration. This is being delivered through the University of Canberra.

•	Australia has also provided assistance to strengthen Botswana’s plant quarantine management and systems through collaboration between Botswana and the Western Australian Department of Agriculture and Food (AGWEST).

•	African Government officials from Botswana, Ghana, Mozambique, Nigeria, Kenya and Tanzania, participated in DFAT's trade policy training course.

•	Australia funded the deployment of a macroeconomic adviser to the Seychelles Revenue Commission for twelve months (ending July 2010) to support a broader economic reform program that the International Monetary Fund is delivering with the Seychelles Government. 

Minerals and Energy Resources

Australian companies currently deliver a broad range of mining services in Africa.  Australian resource sector and related services investment in sub-Saharan Africa was estimated at more than $20 billion in 2008, with around 150 Australian companies active in 40 countries across the continent. 

Many African countries are constrained from further developing minerals and energy resources by inadequate regulatory frameworks, poor governance and lack of infrastructure.  Minerals and energy resources governance has been identified by African governments as an area for assistance and cooperation.  The Australia-Africa Partnerships Facility will therefore assist African countries to tap into their mineral wealth by providing access to technical assistance and training.  Countries, however, will need to demonstrate commitment to best practice principles for sustainable mining, for example, separation of government and mining sectors.

Australia’s experience in mining can assist resource-endowed African countries to maintain a profitable, technologically appropriate, and environmentally and socially responsible resource sector.  By working closely with African governments, Australia can facilitate the environment to increase skills, employment, community development and sustainable management.

For instance, Australia will provide support to the capacity-building elements of the AMIRA West Africa Exploration Initiative Stage 2 Project.  This will enable engagement with the academic, public and private sectors to support sustainable mining development in West Africa.  It will also build on the support Australia is already providing to help ensure appropriate governance arrangements are in place in the African mining sector, for instance, Australian support of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) ($1.4 million since 2007).  EITI, a coalition of governments, companies, civil society groups and international organisations supports improved governance and transparency through verification and publication of company payments and government mining revenues.  Much of EITI's work to date has been in Africa. 

Aid for Trade

Trade is a critical element in economic growth and development, and in reducing poverty.  Developing countries often seek assistance to take full advantage of the benefits of trade liberalisation.  

Aid for trade is about providing development assistance for the trade-related needs of developing countries to enable their more effective engagement in the multilateral trading system and regional trade initiatives. It assists countries to improve market access and to build competitive economies.

Over the last two years, Australia has provided assistance to Africa (including South Africa, Mozambique, Malawi, Lesotho, Tanzania, Zambia, Botswana, Kenya and Uganda) on trade-related activities totalling more than $3.5 million.  Activities include training for trade officials to analyse trade data, formulate trade policies, and negotiate trade agreements; scholarships and sponsored African participation to trade courses. 

Australia’s aid for trade efforts dovetail with identified World Trade Organisation (WTO) priorities and complement efforts by multilateral and regional donors, such as the World Bank.

Building Human Resource Capacity

Scholarships 

Building human resource capacity is critical to Africa’s longer-term development.  Scholarships can help build a pool of future African decision-makers with the skills and knowledge to drive change and influence Africa’s economic and social development.  Scholarships also build the long-term capacity of African governments to achieve reform and meet their own development challenges, particularly to accelerate progress towards the Millennium Development Goals. 

Scholarships have always been a strong part of Australia’s development assistance to Africa.  The Australian Government has had a scholarships program in Africa since 1960, with more than 3,600 scholarships granted in that time.  More recently, increasing importance has been placed on maintaining links with scholarship alumni (of whom there are now around 600 registered with the program’s alumni association). This has been done in part by offering alumni further professional development opportunities delivered by Australians and Australian institutions.  

In January 2009, the Government announced a ten-fold increase in the Australian scholarships program to Africa, to provide 1,000 long- and short-term awards by 2012-13.  The Africa scholarships program is a key pillar of the Australia Awards announced by the Prime Minister in November 2009.

This expansion is well underway, with over 250 scholarships offered in 2010 (more than double the 2009 intake of 109).  The sectoral focus of the scholarships program is also shifting to align with Australian Government focus areas in Africa such as agriculture, natural resource management and public policy. 

Australia offers mining fellowships to provide African managers and practitioners with access to Australian-standard educational, training or professional development opportunities that better equip them to sustainably manage and regulate the mining sector.   A total of 24 mining fellowships have been offered in 2010 - an increase of 10 since in 2008. 

In 2010, a total of 19 countries are set to benefit from long-term scholarships and/or mining fellowships.

Basic Education 

Australia is contributing core funding to the Education For All Fast Track Initiative, a global partnership to help low-income countries meet the MDG on basic education.  Australia has committed $50 million over four years to the Initiative, starting from 2007-08.  Of the 30 countries currently accessing funds through the Education For All Fast Track Initiative Catalytic Fund, some 22 are African. The Fund has directed more than US$1.2 billion (more than 80 per cent of its total funding) to African countries.  Since inception, the Initiative has assisted Sub-Saharan African countries alone to enrol 20 million more children in school. Australia, as a member of the Initiative's Board of Directors, is working to extend assistance to a broader range of countries, including in Africa.  In addition to the Education For All Fast Track Initiative, the Government announced in September 2009 that funding of $2 million would be provided to Zimbabwe through the UNICEF Education Transition Fund for Zimbabwe.

Volunteers 

The volunteer program provides the Australian public with a very direct opportunity to participate in Australia’s development assistance program. By sharing skills and knowledge, volunteers assist in building the capacity of individuals, organisations and communities in partner countries.  Australian volunteers are highly appreciated, contribute to development in Africa in tangible ways, and often are the face of Australia on the ground.  Volunteers also foster links and partnerships, and raise public awareness of development issues and the aid program in the Australian community.  

The Australian Government has supported volunteers since the 1960s and is currently expanding its volunteer programs across Africa as part of the strategy of enhanced engagement.  Two volunteer programs, Australian Volunteers International (AVI) and Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development (AYAD), will be active in Africa in 2009-10.  Currently there are 25 AVIs in four countries in Africa and AusAID continues to rapidly increase both the number of volunteers and the coverage in Africa. 

Community Sports

Australia has also worked at the community level to encourage life skills and social networks, integral to stable communities, through the medium of sport.  Through the Australian Sports Commission (ASC), Australia has worked to develop township/community-based ‘active community clubs’ in South Africa, Swaziland and Botswana ($1.5 million over 5 years). Additionally, the Australian Sports Outreach Program includes a small grants scheme open to a number of countries in Africa (primarily focussed on commonwealth countries) and is managed by the ASC and the Department of Foreign Affairs.  

Community sports activities include:

•	partnership with the Soweto Rugby Club to establish a schools rugby program in Soweto, which amongst other things, builds life skills and provides broader educational opportunities for participants;

•	support to the Australian Football League to bring the game of Aussie Rules to South Africa and the associated tangible social benefits to rural communities. The focus is on broadening the life-skills of participants (now numbering over 17,000) and providing alternate career pathways for volunteers involved through building skills capacity.  

Humanitarian Assistance

Africa is home to protracted conflicts and vulnerable to droughts and natural disasters. Humanitarian pressures in Africa will continue to increase as already precarious situations are worsened by ongoing conflict, drought, high food costs and the global financial crisis. 

In Kenya, ongoing drought and an increasing influx of refugees is exacerbating an already precarious food security situation.  In Somalia, the ongoing crisis has rendered nearly half the population in need of humanitarian assistance, with 1.5 million people internally displaced and over 500,000 people seeking refuge in neighbouring countries.  In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), military operations and retaliatory attacks by the rebel army have resulted in nearly 1.4 million internally displaced persons in North and South Kivu; 40,000 women and girls subject to gender-based violence; an estimated 1.6 million people in need of food assistance; and one in every two children chronically malnourished.  

Australia has a history of providing humanitarian relief to countries in need across Africa.  Most recently, on 16 March 2010, Foreign Minister Smith announced an $11.5 million package of humanitarian assistance to Somalia, the DRC and Kenya.  Funding comprises $5 million to the DRC to protect women and children in displaced persons camps and provide for maternal and child nutrition; $4 million to Somalia to help protect civilians affected by conflict and provide security for UN staff delivering aid; and $2.5 million to the World Food Programme (WFP) to support operations in Kenya, including food assistance to Somali and Sudanese refugees in Kenya.

The estimated budget in 2009-10 for Australian humanitarian assistance in Africa is $25 million.  In addition, to date in 2009-10, we have contributed $15 million to the WFP, for humanitarian relief, comprising support to: Ethiopia in the form of emergency food aid, protracted relief efforts and longer-term sustainable livelihood activities); Sudanese and Somali refugees in Kenya for food assistance; food assistance for Kenya's own population; and support to food aid efforts in Zimbabwe. (See Appendix 1 - Multi-lateral Partnerships)

Support provided during 2009-10 builds on earlier responses to humanitarian needs. Australia has provided significant humanitarian assistance to Somalia, Sudan and the DRC, including almost $100 million to Sudan since 2004; $9.25 million to Somalia since 2005; $12.5million to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) since 2006; $14.5 million to Kenya since 2006; and $11.5 million to Ethiopia since 2007.  The Australian aid program will continue to be responsive to requests for humanitarian assistance in Africa.

Excluding Zimbabwe, Australia contributed more than $41 million in humanitarian assistance to Africa in 2008-09.  Assistance included: Ethiopia ($11.5 million) for food, health, livelihood activities and water and sanitation (in response to drought); the DRC ($10.5 million) to support victims of increased violence; Sudan ($10 million) for food, nutrition and maternal health;  the African Union ($2 million) to address ongoing insecurity in Somalia; and Kenya ($6 million) to build food security and respond to the legacy of election violence, as well as support Somali and Sudanese refugees.

The aid program will also need to respond to continued humanitarian needs in Zimbabwe.  (See Zimbabwe Section in this Submission).

The delivery of humanitarian assistance in often complex and difficult environments presents challenges.  Australia uses only trusted UN, international and humanitarian partners with effective systems and strong monitoring and evaluation processes for our aid delivery.

Australia provides ongoing support to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which has unprecedented access to populations affected by conflict and provides critical protection, and emergency relief in locations where many other agencies are no longer willing to operate.  AusAID funding to the ICRC has doubled since 2007 and totalled approximately $32 million in 2009.  In 2009, AusAID provided $3.5 million to the Australian Red Cross and to the ICRC in Sudan and in previous years has supported operations in Kenya, Somalia, the Central African Republic and Chad.

Australia also provides funding for the deployment of Australian technical experts to support humanitarian partners (for example RedR child protection officers to support UNICEF operations in Sudan in 2009).

Humanitarian access and security remain an issue, particularly in fragile states where there may be risk of expulsion of humanitarian agencies, and law and order cannot be maintained.  Australia will continue to work with nation states, regional organisations and the UN to take forward the important issue of the protection of civilians in armed conflict.  As an important area in which Australia and Africa can share our expertise and experience in peacekeeping, Australia supported the African Union to host an international symposium on the protection of civilians in conflict zones in March 2010. 

Climate Change

Africa is one of the most vulnerable regions in the world to climate change, which, if unaddressed, threatens to stall and reverse recent development gains.  African states are particularly vulnerable due to their high dependency on natural resources; rain fed agriculture, and relatively limited technological and economic capacities.  Increasingly, the impact of climate change represents a threat to ongoing food security and economic stability. For instance, El Nino weather patterns are expected to bring further droughts, hitting crop and livestock production.  

Since 1991, Australia has committed over $240 million to the Global Environment Facility (GEF), which provides support for environment and climate change activities in most African countries.  Australia contributed $59.8 million for the GEF’s 2006-2010 work program, and is currently negotiating its contribution to the fifth GEF replenishment (2010-14).  Australia also provided $7.5 million to the Least Developed Countries Fund of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to help those countries, many of which are in Africa, prepare adaptation plans of action and implement practical projects to adapt to climate change.

Australia has committed $40 million to the World Bank-led Pilot Program for Climate Resilience through which Mozambique, Niger and Zambia have been selected as pilot countries to receive substantial support for climate change adaptation.  

Australia will support South Africa to develop the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Climate Change Plan of Action, and to assist SADC member states with training on policy development in science, technology and innovation.  Funding will be complemented by the provision of Australian technical assistance.

Disaster Risk Reduction

Mindful of the increasing impact of natural disasters and the threat of climate change Australia is funding disaster risk reduction work to help prevent humanitarian crises.  

In June 2009, Australia provided $1 million to the United Nations Development Program to build local disaster risk reduction capacity in Mozambique.  The population of Mozambique is considered to be highly vulnerable to a wide range of natural hazards, including floods, cyclones, earthquakes and droughts.  Funding will support the Mozambique Government’s capacity in disaster preparedness, risk management and long-term vulnerability reduction strategies. 

Peace Building 

Peace building remains an important and enduring element of Australia's contribution to international peace and security. Australia is committed to assisting partner governments to maintain peace and security over the longer term.   Australia’s election to the UN Peace Building Commission is a clear demonstration of our commitment to do this through the UN system.  This is also in keeping with Australia’s broader commitment to increased engagement with Africa, which includes a focus on peace and security cooperation. 

Australia will contribute $6 million over the next two years to peace building efforts in the UN system; $4 million will be provided to the UN Peace Building Fund and $2 million to support peace building initiatives identified by the Peace Building Commission, focusing on Burundi and Sierra Leone. 

Australia is also supporting the African Union led symposium on peacekeeping challenges to be held in Addis Ababa in March 2010.  This will bring together around 120 participants from across Africa to focus on the protection of civilians.

Efforts to strengthen law and justice are particularly important in fragile and post-conflict settings, where improved community safety and non-violent dispute resolution creates a supporting environment within which peace-building and broader development objectives can be achieved. Recognising this link, Australia is working to strengthen the rule of law in Africa through ODA managed by the Australian Federal Police (AFP), Attorney General’s Department (AGD) and the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC). In the 2009-10 Budget, these agencies were allocated $17.5 million over 4 years to implement an Africa Law and Justice program.

Human Rights

Australia has been a leading proponent of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights for over 60 years.  In 2009-10, Australia will provide nearly $3 million through the Human Rights Small Grant Scheme to fund projects across Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean and the Middle East.  The Human Rights Small Grant Scheme supports NGOs and human rights institutions in developing countries to undertake practical activities that promote and protect human rights. This is double the funding available in 2008-09.

Mine Action

Anti-personnel landmines and other explosive remnants of war remain serious obstacles to sustainable development in many African countries. Australia has made a significant contribution to global efforts towards a world free from landmines and other explosive remnants of war by providing more than $175 million to mine action since 1997. 
AusAID’s engagement in reducing the threat and impact of landmines and other explosive remnants of war is guided by the new $100 million Mine Action Strategy for the Australian aid program 2010-2014.  A component of this may be used to support affected countries in Africa.

Zimbabwe

Australia has longstanding links with Zimbabwe and recognises that the current situation poses vast development challenges, with potential flow on affects to the southern Africa region.  Australia is committed to providing humanitarian and development assistance where it can provide the greatest benefit to the people of Zimbabwe.  

In 2008 and 2009, Zimbabwe experienced a humanitarian crisis that affected food security, education, health, water and sanitation and HIV/AIDS. The international humanitarian response in Zimbabwe has helped save lives by containing the cholera epidemic, providing food and agricultural assistance and supporting vital social services, including emergency water and sanitation support for five million people.  Australia’s humanitarian aid to Zimbabwe in 2008-09, included essential food aid, urgent livelihood support and assistance to combat the cholera epidemic. 

Since the formation of the Inclusive Government in February 2009, Australia has announced $39 million in aid to Zimbabwe.  This commitment brings Zimbabwe to Australia’s largest single bilateral and humanitarian aid program in Africa.  Australia was one of the first countries to deliver “humanitarian plus” assistance to Zimbabwe, going beyond emergency relief to support the efforts of the Inclusive Government to restore basic services and promote economic recovery.  Australia’s support to Zimbabwe is based on the assessment that the Global Political Agreement (GPA), creating the Inclusive Government, represents the best prospect of a better future for Zimbabwe.  

Australian support to Zimbabwe is aimed at advancing the prospects for positive change and reform, while assisting the inclusive Government of Zimbabwe to bring sustainable and long-term improvements to Zimbabwe.  Australia’s assistance is directed to areas critical for the country’s recovery, and where Australian aid can have a significant impact.  Australia provides assistance to agriculture/food security, and water and sanitation, and works in health, education, and economic governance. Australia works through strong partners in Zimbabwe and is committed to working with South Africa and other Southern African Development Community (SADC) partners in the region to help rebuild key Zimbabwe institutions.

Australia has committed $6 million to cooperate with South Africa in supporting the recovery of the Zimbabwe economy.  Funding of $4 million will include support for collaboration between the South Africa and Zimbabwe taxation authorities to build Zimbabwe’s taxation administration. The remaining $2 million will enable South African technical expertise to support capacity building efforts in water and sanitation, agriculture and economic governance. 

Water and sanitation

Water and sanitation systems are in need of repair. Humanitarian agencies are prepared for a renewed cholera outbreak, with procedures developed during the 2009 cholera epidemic expected to reduce the impact of any new outbreak. As part of "humanitarian plus" assistance to restore basic services, Australia has provided $8 million for restoration of water and sanitation services.  This is in addition to $3 million in humanitarian funding provided through UNICEF for water and sanitation as part of the emergency response to the cholera epidemic.

The Government sees an important role for Australian NGOs in the rebuilding of Zimbabwe.  Australia is providing a $2 million initiative for Australian NGOs to work with Zimbabwean partners to help restore water and sanitation services.

Food Security 

An estimated 6.9 million Zimbabweans received international food aid at the height of the last “hunger season” in March 2009. Australia provided a total of $15.2 million through the World Food Programme (WFP) for Zimbabwe in 2008-09 and a further $5 million in 2009-10. Despite an improved food security outlook for 2009-10, relief agencies estimate that approximately 2.2 million Zimbabweans will still require food assistance at the peak of the 2010 hunger season, from January to March.  An estimated 33 percent of children under age five are chronically malnourished. 

Australian assistance is increasingly focused on long-term food security and improved livelihoods of Zimbabweans. Australia is supporting smallholder farmers, both through providing important agricultural materials including seeds and training in skills and agricultural techniques.

Since 2006-07, Australia has provided $5 million to the Protracted Relief Programme co-funded with the United Kingdom to provide for longer-term agricultural sustainability.  In 2009-10, Australia has provided over $6 million to support recovery of the agricultural sector in Zimbabwe.  Australia continues to explore opportunities to engage with the private sector to rebuild commercial agriculture in Zimbabwe. 

From Australia’s $50 million contribution to the World Bank Global Food Crisis Response Program, announced in July 2008, approximately $8.6 million (US$7 million) was allocated in 2009 to the Zimbabwe Emergency Agricultural Input Project for the procurement and distribution of improved maize seed to more than 300,000 small-scale farmers throughout Zimbabwe.

Australia is the founding donor of a special Zimbabwe program of the Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund (AECF), to which it made an initial contribution of $5 million in December 2009. The AECF supports innovative private sector-led activities to benefit the rural poor through a competitive grants and loans scheme. Australia is encouraging other countries, including Britain, Denmark, South Africa and Botswana, to join this initiative.  This is in addition to $1 million to support private sector activities, in cooperation with The Netherlands announced on 15 September 2009.

Through the APAC Program, (see Capacity Building Section in this Submission) two NGOs are working in Zimbabwe, implementing rural food security and HIV programs.

Health

With the collapse of the Zimbabwean dollar and the adoption of the US dollar and the South African Rand in early 2009, Zimbabwe’s former hyperinflation ended.  Health workers and teachers returned to work with the payment of monthly allowances by the Inclusive Government.  Australia assisted recovery of the health sector in 2008-09 by contributing $5 million to a health retention scheme, co-funded with the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development, for incentive payments for health workers to return to work.

Cross-Sectoral Support

Disability

Disability is a major policy platform for the Australian Government.  The policy Development for All: Towards a disability –inclusive Australian aid program 2009-2014, commits the Australian Government to ensuring that people with disability are comprehensively included and supported in improving their quality of life through all aspects for the aid program.  

Australia will engage on disability issues in policy dialogues with partners and other donors to build awareness and support for disability-related issues.  Maternal and child health initiative will also directly address disability.  For example training midwives helps reduce eh maternal health condition of obstetric fistula, improving food security reduces the likelihood of birth complications and disability and debilitating disease.

Gender

Gender equality is a guiding principle of the Australian aid program and is integral to all Australian Government aid policies, programs and initiatives.  Achieving gender equality requires improving women’s access to economic resources, their participation and leadership in decision-making, respect for the human rights of women including efforts to combat violence against women, and an increased capacity to tackle gender inequalities. AusAID will continue to address these four interrelated factors through development initiatives in Africa.

The APAC review highlighted positive gender equality outcomes in some ANGO programs that empowered women and led to them being less vulnerable to exploitation.  The following changes were also recorded:  reduced stereotyping of gender roles, women’s inheritance rights were recognised; increased access to opportunities and resources; and reduced domestic violence.

The new scholarships program will seek to ensure equity in access to the award opportunities offered, including a participation target of 50 per cent of women receiving awards. Over the last five years of the current program, more than 50 per cent of awardees have been women. The new program will particularly seek to ensure that gender, as well as disability, are not barriers to participation.  By taking this approach, Australia is investing in the future women leaders of Africa.

Gender equality will be a central theme of the new maternal and child health initiative, noting that high maternal mortality is the ultimate expression of gender inequality. Through the new initiative, we will explore opportunities to support the gender dimensions of health capacity-building and improved service delivery.

These initiatives are complemented by international Partnerships to address gender inequalities. In 2009, AusAID signed a Partnership Framework with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), which will provide $42.5 million over four years.  The aim of the Framework is to accelerate achievement of the health and gender MDGs, particularly in the areas of reproductive health, safe motherhood, addressing HIV, gender-based violence and promoting gender equality.  In 2009, AusAID also signed a Partnership Framework worth more than $17 million over four years to the United Nations Fund for Women (UNIFEM). Through the Partnership, Australia and UNIFEM will work together to advance equality between men and women and improve progress towards the MDGs, including by reducing violence against women. 

HIV/AIDS

In 2008, an estimated 1.9 million people living in sub-Saharan Africa became newly infected with HIV, bringing the total number of people living with HIV to 22.4 million. In the countries most heavily affected, HIV has reduced life expectancy by more than 20 years, slowed economic growth, and deepened household poverty.  The epidemic has also orphaned nearly 12 million children aged under 18 years. 

HIV/AIDS in Africa is consequently an area where the combined force of the global community is highly engaged.  More than US$10 billion (A$15 billion) was made available in 2007 for HIV activities alone, an almost forty fold increase since 1996, when just $260 million was available.  The increase has been largely due to a series of new international funding initiatives and mechanisms, notably the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, the World Bank's Global AIDS Program and the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). 

Staffing Resources

In order to effectively implement the Government’s agenda, AusAID continues to build its presence in Africa through both increased staff numbers and new locations. 

AusAID has increased its staff resources for an expanding Zimbabwe program.  
Pretoria and Nairobi are being strengthened as regional hubs with staff also being placed in Accra and Addis Ababa. Workforce planning is underway to support the rapid scale up.

Appendix 1
Multi-lateral Partnerships

The Global Fund to Fight AIDS Tuberculosis and Malaria has achieved impressive outcomes in efforts to combat the three diseases.  To date, it has approved funding of US$19.2 billion in 140 countries.  It provides a quarter of all international financing for HIV globally and two-thirds for tuberculosis and malaria; more than half of which flows to sub-Saharan Africa.  Australia has committed $210 million over seven years (2004-2010) to the Global Fund.

Additionally, in 2009, Australia signed a partnership agreement with the United Nations Joint Programme on AIDS (UNAIDS); contributing $25.5 million over 4 years (2009-2012) to efforts to achieve the sixth MDG to combat the spread of HIV. This was signed under the Government’s $200 million United Nations Partnership for the Millennium Development Goals, announced in the 2008–09 budget.

United Nations Children’s Fund

UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund supports, child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS.  UNICEF is a key development partner for Australia.  In December 2008, AusAID and UNICEF signed a Partnership Framework which commits Australia to increasing ‘core’ funding from $14.5 million in 2008 to $34.1 million in 2012, and sets out shared objectives and indicators to measure partnership progress.  The objectives focus on advancing MDG progress, aid effectiveness and UN reform, emergency operations and response, and improved communications. 

Last financial year UNICEF received the second largest overall contribution from AusAID to a UN organisation, after the World Food Programme.  In 2007-2008 Australia provided around $60 million in core and non-core funding to UNICEF.  In 2008-2009, this increased to around $100 million.  

UNICEF is an important UN partner in Africa given its long-term experience and widespread presence, and its central role in addressing priority sectors for the Australian aid program's engagement in Africa.  (UNICEF directs more than 62% of core funding to Sub-Saharan Africa.)  AusAID is also currently exploring options for additional collaboration.

United Nations Development Programme
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is one of the most important UN agencies for AusAID.  UNDP coordinates United Nations efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and helps countries build solutions to the challenges of democratic governance, poverty reduction, crisis prevention, environment and energy and HIV/AIDS, mindful of human rights and empowerment of women.  UNDP also coordinates the activities of United Nations agencies involved in development helping developing countries attract and use aid effectively. 

In December 2008, AusAID signed a Partnership Framework with UNDP, which commits Australia to increased core funding of $68.3 million over four years (2008-2012).  The Partnership Framework also outlines shared objectives on advancing MDG progress, aid effectiveness, UN reform, and enhanced visibility for our contribution to UNDP’s work.

UNDP, with its extensive representation and network of partners in 45 Sub-Saharan African countries, is an established partner with which Australia works to build the capacities of African governments and communities to accelerate progress toward the MDGs.

The United Nations Population Fund

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the lead agency in responding to gender-based violence and maternal and child and reproductive health issues.  UNFPA is the most prominent international advocate for reproductive health and rights. AusAID has actively participated in the UNFPA Board during 2008 and 2009 and will take a Board seat from 2012.  

AusAID will sign a 5 year (2009-2013) Partnership Framework with UNFPA and announce the provision of $ 42.5 million over the first four years of the agreement (2008-9-2011-12). The aim of the Framework is to accelerate achievement of the health and gender Millennium Development Goals, particularly in the areas of reproductive health, safe motherhood, addressing HIV, gender-based violence and promoting gender equality.   

In 2009, Australia provided $500,000 to UNFPA in Somalia to support efforts to provide vital emergency obstetric facilities to women fleeing conflict across the country.  

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is the UN agency mandated to protect and assist refugees, and certain internally displaced populations, worldwide. UNHCR is a major humanitarian partner for the Australian aid program, with funding having doubled since 2007 and totalling approximately $40 million in core and program funding in 2009.  UNHCR is a particularly valuable partner in Africa, where the organisation’s large presence and significant operational capacity ensure it is well placed to meet the protection and humanitarian needs of displaced populations in Africa’s most complex and critical humanitarian emergencies. In 2009, AusAID provided UNHCR with $3.5 million for operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and $1.5 million for operations in Kenya.

World Food Programme (WFP) 

The WFP is the United Nations frontline agency in the fight against hunger, mandated to provide food assistance and ensure access to adequate nutrition for the world’s most vulnerable populations.  As such, it is a key humanitarian partner for the Australian aid program, with shared objectives of assisting countries to reduce poverty and achieve the MDGs (particularly MDG1: Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger; and MDG2: Achieve Universal Primary Education).  

In October 2009, Australia signed a Strategic Partnership Agreement with the WFP to provide core funding of $180 million over 4 years.  Africa remains a significant focus for WFP operations, with Africa comprising approximately 60% of WFP forecast emergency needs in 2009, and over 70% of WFP forecast protracted relief and recovery efforts.  AusAID makes additional contributions to specific WFP country interventions (as detailed under the Humanitarian and Zimbabwe Sections).

The World Bank

The World Bank is the world’s largest development institution.  It is the largest source of development finance for low-income countries, and has global influence in development policy, programming and effectiveness.  The Bank provides resources and expertise to build developing countries’ capacities and forge partnerships in the public and private sectors.  The World Bank brings significant development experience to the Australia aid program.  By working with the Bank, we are able to increase the breadth of our aid programs into areas where we have limited field presence and/or expertise. Australia and many donor governments, together with private and institutions, contribute to different World Bank trust funds, which are targeted towards specific development activities.  

The Australian aid program works closely with the World Bank in Africa, particularly within a number of key sectors, such as water and sanitation, and food security.  Australia has commenced negotiating a partnership agreement with the World Bank that will provide a framework for ongoing cooperation.

The World Health Organization

WHO is the directing and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations system. It is responsible for providing leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy options, providing technical support to countries and monitoring and assessing health trends.

To boost the capacity of the WHO to deliver on its mandate in achieving the health MDGs, Australia through AusAID, signed a multi-year Partnership Framework with WHO on 3 March 2009.  Under this Framework, AusAID provides increased, flexible core contributions to support WHO’s efforts.  

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