Budget fails to respond to global humanitarian crises 

Act for Peace welcomes the Australian Government’s commitment to increase foreign aid as part of the 2024-25 Federal Budget, handed down by Treasurer Jim Chalmers on Tuesday night, May 14, but it’s not enough to respond to the unprecedented humanitarian crises our world is facing. 

Act for Peace acknowledge the new funding for climate initiatives in the Pacific and for the Green Climate Fund, as well as the $1.1 million increase to the Central Disability Allocation.  

The government’s commitment to improving Australia’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) is now at $4.961 billion, an increase of $193 million, but remains static at 0.19% of Gross National Income (GNI).  

The new budget neglected to increase the Humanitarian Emergency Fund and at a time where the Asia-Pacific region is failing to meet its Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets, Australia should be scaling up its aid targets.   

Act for Peace believes we cannot afford to remain static if we are serious about addressing the unprecedented displacement issues our world is facing.  

In 2023, Australia ranked just 26 out of 31 OECD countries when it comes to the generosity of our humanitarian aid.   

	Above: Syrian refugees in Jordan queue for food rations. Image credit: Ben Littlejohn/Act for Peace.

The global displacement crisis continues to expand at an alarming rate, with UNHCR estimating that at the end of September 2023, more than 114 million people worldwide have been forced to flee their homes due to conflict, persecution and human rights violations.  

The Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) said there were 71.1 million people internally displaced globally by the end of 2022 – 62.5 million due to conflict and disaster and 8.7 million due to disasters.  

As we continue to see an increase in climate-related displacement, we recognise Australia has a responsibility to provide support for those who are most vulnerable to climate-related shocks and ongoing and emerging conflict, especially for our neighbours in the Pacific.  

Act for Peace CEO, Elijah Buol OAM, says that they will continue to advocate for increases in their aid budget alongside their coalition partners Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) and Micah.  

“Increasing foreign aid is an essential and wise investment for Australia, because it helps create security and safety for vulnerable populations and builds their resilience so they can overcome crises like conflict and disaster,” Elijah Buol OAM says.   

“It’s in our best interest to address and prevent displacement, because not only does it create a safe place to belong for people who need it most, but it will also help prevent future catastrophes due to the impact of climate change.”    

Act for Peace is working with local partners and their communities in 20 countries including Fiji, the Philippines, Tonga and Vanuatu in the Pacific, who are on the frontline of the climate crisis. Their work centres on developing stronger disaster preparedness and response capabilities, and climate-adaptation initiatives.   

Act for Peace’s Head of Partnerships and Programs, Geoff Robinson says Pacific communities are being hit with repeated disasters with increased frequency – from devastating cyclones, tidal surges and sea-water inundation.   

“Investing in the anticipation of, and adaptation to disasters is helping communities grow resilience and preventing the likelihood of climate-driven displacement...Fostering partnerships with organisations is key to locally led and sustainable displacement solutions." 

“We continue to advocate for solutions where local communities are leading when it comes to reducing the impact of climate-related displacement,”  Geoff Robinson says

Act for Peace acknowledges the support of the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP).