Global programs

In June 2022, the UN Humanitarian Needs and Priorities Plan called for USD47.2m of life saving assistance for Sri Lanka. Australia responded swiftly providing emergency funding to UN agencies and re-programming existing investments. We prioritised those most at risk with a focus on food security, nutrition, social protection, medical assistance, and women’s health. Our assistance was delivered with a view to inclusive economic recovery.

Australia contributed $22 million to the World Food Programme for emergency food assistance, including unconditional food assistance and cash transfers. Partners are supporting nutrition awareness, agriculture support for farmers, school meals and subsistence programs.

Australia will provide nutrition support for women and children through its partnership with the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), which provides food for children with severe malnutrition and food vouchers for pregnant and lactating women. World Vision supports children and caregivers with protection services, case management and targeted mental health support. Sight for All provides ophthalmological medical equipment and supplies to all 26 district hospitals with eye care units. 

Australia supports women’s health and the procurement of essential medical items, the provision of dignity and maternity kits and assistance to women’s shelters through the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA). CSIRO supports health security through ongoing work in water quality detection, monitoring, and management. The Australian Nuclear and Science Technology Agency continues to partner with the Ministry of Health to prevent chronic kidney disease of unknown origins, a major problem in parts of Sri Lanka.

Regional programs

We will continue to invest in regional programs, such as Gavi the Vaccine Alliance (Gavi) and COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX), as well as programs targeting other diseases that put additional strain on the health system. These include the World Mosquito Program on decreasing dengue fever and the Global Fund to fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

The Department of Home Affairs maintains its partnership with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) on its Integrated Border Management project to build the capacity of border agencies to manage health security risks.

Please see the Global Programs homepages for further information, including current progress reports and reviews.