Sixteen Australian charities, including Oxfam, joined forces today to launch the newly-formed Emergency Action Alliance at an online event that featured prominent government leaders, media executives and charity leaders. In an historic move the humanitarian agencies will be uniting in their campaign and fundraising efforts to improve how Australians can support and donate when large scale overseas humanitarian disasters take place.
The CEOs of the charities believe that through this new single fundraising entity more money can be raised from the Australian public more quickly, so that there can be a rapid distribution of funds allocated to where the money is most needed. This will save more lives and can enable the quicker and more efficient rebuilding of communities.
Executive Director of the Emergency Action Alliance, Kerren Morris said: “Around the globe, the number of large scale disasters is increasing. The complexity of these emergencies are also accelerating, and new factors such as the Covid pandemic mean that communities are even more vulnerable. It’s no surprise that the needs for disaster response and recovery are escalating. Our member organisations already work in close collaboration during a disaster response – but there has been a common agreement that a more formal alliance was needed to make it easier for donors to give. Today is an historic moment in Australia’s response to disaster relief.”
The online launch featured high profile speakers including Senator the Hon Marise Payne, ABC Board Director Dr Jane Connors, James Gilling, First Assistant Secretary (Humanitarian, NGOs and Partnerships Division), CEO of ACFID Marc Purcell, CEO of Fundraising Institute of Australia Katherine Raskob, and each of the EAA member CEOs.
Matthew Maury, the Chair of EAA Board and CEO of Tearfund Australia said: “Australians are incredibly generous when a disaster strikes and the EAA is designed to maximise the impact of this generosity. When a crisis occurs, the Emergency Action Alliance works with its 16 members to quickly direct resources to the member agencies best positioned to respond to the disaster. It is a privilege to have this opportunity to join with my fellow Australian NGO leaders as we collaborate in this innovative way to raise more support for the most vulnerable communities around the world in their time of greatest need.”
Ms Morris concluded: “When there’s a huge disaster or crisis overseas that gains media attention here in Australia, it can be hard for generous, compassionate supporters to know how to help, where to donate and who to trust with their donation. We know from research that any hesitancy can inhibit an individual’s likelihood to help. Through the Emergency Action Alliance donors will have confidence that their donation will be helpful to the people and communities impacted by the disaster.”
Oxfam Australia Chief Executive Lyn Morgain said it was exciting to see even more collaboration and cooperation in the sector.
“Our top priority is being able to have as big and as effective an impact as possible for communities living through disasters. This will doubtless facilitate that, and that’s why it’s such a critical step forward for our sector and the generous Australian community.”
The full list of member organisations of the EAA are: Action Aid, ADRA, Act for Peace, Australian Lutheran World Service, Anglican Overseas Aid, Baptist World Aid, Caritas Australia, Care, CBM, ChildFund Australia, Oxfam, Plan International, Save the Children, Tearfund Australia, Australia for UNHCR, and World Vision.
