2 hours Ago By postcourieronline
THE Australian government has launched a landmark new Humanitarian Policy to set the long-term direction and focus for Australia’s humanitarian action to ensure it saves lives, alleviates human suffering and builds resilient communities. Right now, there is more conflict than any time since the Second World War and the worsening impacts of climate change mean Australia’s humanitarian action must be fit for our times and the future. The policy outlines the role Australia will play when need is outstripping the world’s capacity to respond, and disregard for international humanitarian law is increasing.
The new Humanitarian Policy focuses on three priorities: Building readiness and preparedness to anticipate shocks before they occur and working with our 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; and 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.
The launch of the policy complements the Albanese government’s global initiative to drive action to protect aid workers in conflict zones, announced at the United Nations last month. “The new humanitarian policy is not just about saving lives and meeting humanitarian needs. It is also about protecting the peace, stability and prosperity that we want for Australia, our region and the world”.
