MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
I am delighted to announce the release of the first quarterly report on the status of Australia's response to the Indian Ocean tsunami disaster.
Australia's response to the disaster of 26 December 2004 was distinguished by an unprecedented demonstration of spontaneous generosity by the Australian community.
Within days of the disaster, the Australian Government had committed $60 million for emergency humanitarian assistance, primarily to Indonesia, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Seychelles and, to a lesser extent, to Thailand and India.
By 15 April 2005, nearly $47 million of this had been expended on relief activities in those countries. Since then, further activities have been supported across the region and today less than one per cent of the original $60 million remains uncommitted.
According to the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) the total value of private donations through ACFID member organisations stands at just over $315 million. By 15 April the larger non-government organisations (NGOs) had spent about 25 per cent of these funds.
Australia's aid community, both the Government and ACFID member organisations, have a shared commitment to ensuring high standards of transparency and accountability in the management of aid funds and the effective delivery of assistance.
We also share the Australian public's expectations that their official or donated aid dollars will be used to achieve the greatest good.
The first quarterly report gives a detailed account of Australia's response to the tsunami disaster. Subsequent reports will detail further expenditure of emergency relief funds and also the delivery of the Government's $1 billion package under the Australia-Indonesia Partnership for Reconstruction and Development (AIPRD).
I would like to acknowledge the presence at today's event to release the first quarterly report of the CEOs of ACFID, the Australian Red Cross, CARE Australia, Caritas, Oxfam Community Aid Abroad and World Vision.
Media inquiries:
Chris Kenny (Mr Downer's office) 0419 206 890
AusAID (Public Affairs) 0417 680 590