Supporting our neighbours across the Pacific
By protecting people from the unpredictable and severe consequences of climate change, unnecessary human suffering will be reduced, and countless lives will be saved. An Australian Red Cross report has found that 97% of disaster funding is invested in response and recovery, while just 3% is spent on mitigation, preparedness and resilience.
The evidence on the benefits of investing in disaster resilience centred around people and communities is clear. It can result in less damage, fewer impacts and quicker, more equitable recovery after the disaster. Here at Australian Red Cross, we have evolved and shaped the way we work regionally to help strengthen the foundations of local Societies to respond to this need. We are partnering directly with nine National Societies across the Asia-Pacific region - working continually with them on preparing for natural hazards that may exacerbate humanitarian issues, such as health, shelter, food security, and increased displacement of people.
This area is home to two-thirds of the world’s population and its most disaster-prone countries. In this region, the frequency and intensity of disasters has not only increased, but accounts for around a third of all weather and climate related disasters globally. There is an ever-growing need for these countries to have the knowledge, skills and practices that enable communities to reduce their vulnerability to disaster risks. To prepare for, anticipate, respond to and recover from disasters and crises when they occur. Thanks to your funding, Australian Red Cross is on the ground, working with our National Society partners in the region to help establish and strengthen locally relevant systems to meet this need. It is crucial to build resilience in the communities, countries and regions most at risk. By focusing on adaptation, the number of people in need of humanitarian assistance will drop. And by focusing on preparedness, the impacts and costs of disasters and crises can be reduced.
Wailotua Village part-time volunteer Seremaia Suvainaika leads his colleagues on a door to door visit in Fiji Image: Kurt Petersen/ IFRC
Because of donors like you, we’ve been able to drive local led humanitarian action across the region. Together, we’ve enabled more collective impact and built on local knowledge and relationships within the community.
Here’s how your donation today will have impact well into the future:
Better funding Shifting from ‘project-based’ funding to supporting core operating costs and institutional integrity of our partners - with a view to enabling
$3,320 could provide emergency shelter for five families who have just lost their homes.
a long-term approach to financial sustainability.
Mongolia
$22,027 supports the cost of Epidemic Control training for 25 Red Cross volunteers in the Pacific, helping them to prevent, detect and respond to outbreaks of infectious disease like measles and dengue in their communities. $67,000 could help ensure a Red Cross National Society in the Asia-Pacific region has the resources it needs across the country before a disaster strikes.
Stronger partners Supporting the development and strengthening of organisational ethics, governance, partnership, resource mobilisation, financial management, and women’s leadership. Disaster risk management Building expertise in the areas of cash assistance, disaster and health preparedness, anticipatory action, protection, gender and inclusion, shelter and settlements. Influence and advocacy Develop strategic partnerships which seek to ensure that local actors are seen as critical components of sustainable humanitarian action.
Myanmar
Papua New Guinea
Solomon Islands
Indonesia
East Timor
Vanuatu Fiji
Tonga
Australia
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