Australia’s peak-body for aid NGOs – the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) – has warmly welcomed the Australian Government’s announcement of $30m in additional humanitarian support to Ukraine.
Marc Purcell, ACFID CEO, said:
“This is a critical intervention for the Ukrainian people in their hour of need and a demonstration of solidarity with their plight by the Australian Government.
“This new funding will protect women, children, people with disabilities and the elderly as they flee the violence and destruction.”
Australian NGOs will work with the Australian Government on delivering the assistance through the Australian Humanitarian Partnership.
Purcell continued:
“Humanitarian agencies are on the ground providing urgent support including shelter, transportation to reunite families, healthcare and COVID-19 responses, access to water, food and education.
“This package will mean reaching more civilians who have been victims of this brutal conflict.”
All assistance will be delivered in keeping with humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence.
The Australian Government has also provided $2 million for the Emergency Action Alliance (EAA) Ukraine Appeal which brings together 15 leading Australian aid charities at times of crisis. The Government’s funding will help attract matched donations from the Australian public.
“This funding and partnership with the Australian Government shows how we can pull together in times of crisis and help people around the world.
“The Government’s support for the EAA appeal gives confidence to generous Australians who are looking for a simple and quick way to donate. They can be assured that their support is going to where it’s needed.”
ACFID has welcomed the Government’s quick action to amend the Overseas Aid Gift Deduction scheme to include Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Hungary. This will mean donations to approved organisations working in these surrounding countries will be tax deductible.
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