The Federal Government will commit $5 million to a new Asia-Pacific Regional Humanitarian Fund as it launches a new national Humanitarian Policy.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the Policy outlined the role Australia would play at a time when need was outstripping the world’s capacity to respond to crises and disregard for international humanitarian law was increasing.
Minister Wong said there was more conflict around the globe now than any time since the Second World War and when added to the worsening impacts of climate change, it meant Australia’s humanitarian action must be fit for these times and the future.
She said the new Humanitarian Policy focused on three priorities:
- Building readiness and preparedness to anticipate shocks before they occur and working with international partners to lessen their impact.
- Responding to crises and disasters by delivering support that meets the needs of crisis-affected populations and protects the most vulnerable immediately and in the long-term.
- Reinforcing the international humanitarian system and taking principled and practical steps to strengthen adherence to international humanitarian law.
“The Policy maintains Australia’s focus on the Indo-Pacific, where Australia can make the greatest impact, drawing on our strengths and deep relationships.
“Australia will also provide $5 million to support a newly-established Asia-Pacific Regional Humanitarian Fund to rapidly respond to escalation in humanitarian needs in complex crises and disasters in our region,” she said.
Minister Wong said the Policy complemented the Government’s global initiative to drive action to protect aid workers in conflict zones, announced at the United Nations last month.
She said Australia brought together ministers from Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Japan, Jordan, Sierra Leone, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom who agreed to pursue a new Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel.
Read the new Humanitarian Policy.
