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Disaster risk reduction, humanitarian aid and mine actionHumanitarian action policy 
An Australian health worker deployed by AusAID attends to those injured during the 2009 tsunami in Samoa. Photo: Lou Anderson/AusAID Crises, whether caused by natural hazards or human-induced—such as armed violence—can inflict untold suffering and hardship. Through its humanitarian action, Australia helps reduce the adverse impacts of these crises on vulnerable populations. Humanitarian action can mean the difference between life and death for many thousands of people each year. It helps people prepare for, respond to and recover from crisis, so that they can get back to leading productive lives more quickly. Humanitarian action helps to protect and rebuild hard-won development gains by identifying and addressing risks and providing access to life-saving help. Australia is committed to providing appropriate and effective humanitarian action and stands at the ready to help people in times of need. Our practical approach and strong partnerships in the Asia-Pacific region and with humanitarian agencies around the world mean we are well-placed to deliver. Our work in the area is fundamental to supporting the broader purpose of Australia’s aid program—to help people overcome poverty—and serves Australia’s national interests by promoting stability and prosperity both in our region and beyond. In 2010 alone, humanitarian action accounted for 11 per cent of Australia’s official development assistance and covered a broad range of areas including food assistance, disaster risk reduction, mine action and emergency response. The Australian Government has also committed to increase the level of funding allocated to humanitarian action in the future. Humanitarian action policyOn 16 December 2011, Australia launched its 2011 Humanitarian Action Policy to guide the Australian Government’s commitment to deliver effective and appropriate humanitarian action. The policy describes the key goal of Australia’s humanitarian action: to save lives, alleviate suffering and maintain human dignity during and in the aftermath of conflict, natural disasters and other humanitarian crises, as well as to strengthen preparedness for the occurrence of such situations. It also commits to increased whole-of-government capacity, accountable humanitarian action and integrating learning into future humanitarian action. The Australian Government will implement the Humanitarian Action Policy by delivering appropriate and effective humanitarian action ourselves and through our partners, such as United Nations agencies, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and non-government organisations. The policy describes effective and appropriate humanitarian action as that which:
As part of its implementation strategy, the Australian Government will also advocate for and support effective humanitarian action at the international level. International humanitarian action needs to be more responsible, professional, well-coordinated and clearly supportive of national disaster management priorities. We will work with partners to pursue these outcomes. Disaster risk reductionNatural disasters can wipe out development gains and disasters are becoming more frequent and more severe. Australia is committed to making countries and communities more resilient to natural hazards. See our 2009 disaster risk reduction policy Food assistanceAustralia provides more than 150,000 wheat equivalent tonnes1 of humanitarian food assistance every year to people in need in Africa, Asia and Latin America. This is primarily managed through a strong partnership with the United Nations World Food Programme. Australia is currently the World Food Programme’s fifth largest single government donor and more than 95 per cent of our food assistance is provided to the organisation. More information on Australia’s contribution to food assistance RefugeesAustralia supports mandated protection agencies, such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to protect and assist refugees and internally displaced people. Australia also supports programs that promote finding durable solutions to refugee and internally displaced people crises and the reintegration of returnees, particularly in the Asia Pacific region. Mine actionLandmines and other explosive remnants of war pose serious obstacles to sustainable development in many of the world's poorest countries. They can be found anywhere and often deprive affected populations of basic needs such as access to water and health facilities, use of fertile agricultural land, and communication. Australia is a significant contributor to international mine action, with a focus on the Asia Pacific region. Our current mine action strategy commits Australia to providing more than $100 million for global mine action programmes in 2010-2014. The Australian aid program provides support to mine clearance, mine risk education, victim assistance and advocacy activities, in collaboration with a range of international, regional and local actors. More information on Australia's contribution to mine action
Last reviewed: 17 December, 2011
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