The office of Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong released a statement on Saturday which revealed the Labor government will send $265 million overseas in humanitarian assistance as announced at the Global Refugee Forum.
In a joint media release with Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong, Immigration Minister Andrew Giles and Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy, it was announced the Albanese government will send $265 million in humanitarian assistance overseas.
The pledge stipulates it will involve $235 million to support displaced Rohingya and communities in need in Myanmar and Bangladesh.
$20 million will be sent to support people in Afghanistan and “those displaced to neighbouring countries”, with a further $10 million going to Sudan.
The announcement was made at the United Nation’s Global Refugee Forum (GRF) in Geneva, held between the 13th and 15th of December, to “support refugees and to sustain humanitarian assistance in protracted crises”.
The statement said Australia has “reaffirmed its commitment to the Global Compact on Refugees” to enhance “refugee self-reliance” while expanding their access to “third country solutions through resettlement”.
The Australian government recently established the Refugee Advisory Panel to Government to ensure those with “lived experience” can advise on Australia’s settlement programs.
Ms Wong said “we are seeing the largest displacement crisis unfolding in modern history, with more than 114 million people displaced globally”.
“Through our partners, Australia will deliver vital support to vulnerable people displaced by conflict,” she added.
Mr Giles said the pledge is to help ease the pressure on host countries and to demonstrate Australia’s commitment to “responsibility sharing”.
As more people are “forcibly displaced than ever before”, the Albanese government has offered its support for refugees globally and the communities that host them.
Mr Conroy, who is also the International Development and the Pacific Minister said “Australia is deeply concerned by the unprecedent number of displaced people around the world” and the important contribution by the Labor government is in partnership with other international organisations.
The 2023-24 budget summarises the government’s Official Development Assistant figure to be about $4.77 billion, with this figure to increase over the longer term.
The increased ODA investments are aimed to support and “open, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific…in response to the worsening climate crisis”.
( SKY NEWS )
