Australian Government, 2007–08 Budget

Previous PageContents and DownloadNext Page

Global Programs

Humanitarian, emergency and refugee programs

Humanitarian, Emergency and Refugee Programs in 2007-08 $212.8 million

A number of countries throughout the Asia-Pacific region are susceptible to conflict as well as the adverse shocks of natural and human-made disasters. These events take lives, erode development gains, and undermine growth prospects.

The objectives of the Australian humanitarian program are to save lives, alleviate suffering, and maintain human dignity during and in the aftermath of man-made crises and natural disasters. The program also aims to prevent and strengthen preparedness for the occurrence of such situations.

In addition to protecting vulnerable populations and promoting stability, the Government's humanitarian action aims to facilitate early resumption of development pathways following a disaster/crisis through a holistic approach to crisis risk management. In focusing on prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery, the Australian Government seeks to address not only the symptoms of a crisis, but also the causes of vulnerability. Australia's approach is to work with effective national and international organisations to enhance partner countries' and their communities' capabilities to manage crises — not to be reliant on donor support.

The April 2007 earthquake and tsunami in Solomon Islands are a dramatic reminder of the susceptibility of Australia's region to natural disasters. Australia is responding effectively to this crisis, providing substantial emergency and reconstruction assistance.

Table 8: Humanitarian, emergency and refugee programs in 2007-08

Program
Estimate 2007-08 ($m)		 Focus

Humanitarian and Emergencies 197.8


of which: International Committee of the Red Cross 12.0

Emergency response, support to humanitarian programs that help improve conditions, alleviate suffering, and maintain dignity of displaced people in the Asia-Pacific region, and support to key humanitarian agencies

Australia will continue core support for key humanitarian agencies including the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). ICRC plays a key role responding to conflict and meeting the needs of conflict- and crisis-affected populations.
International Refugee Fund
15.0		 Continued support to address the needs of people displaced by conflict through humanitarian programs that help improve conditions, alleviate suffering, and maintain the dignity of displaced people.

A new initiative will significantly strengthen Australia's capacity to respond to humanitarian emergencies while at the same time strengthening the resilience and capacity of partner countries, as outlined in Box 9.

Box 9: Enhanced Australian Emergency and Humanitarian Response Capacity$93.2 million

An Enhanced Australian Emergency and Humanitarian Response Capacity initiative will invest $93.2 million over four years, with $21.3 million in 2007-08, to increase the capacity of Australia and key partners to manage and respond to humanitarian emergencies and natural disasters in the Asia-Pacific region. Three key programs will develop:

An enhanced Australian response, supporting early and effective Australian responses to emergencies in the Asia-Pacific region that are better equipped, better coordinated across government, with improved access to relief stores and skilled response personnel.

An enhanced partner response, strengthening the systems and capacity of key regional partners to plan for and manage crises. Australia will help develop the capabilities of partner governments' national disaster management organisations, as well as supporting better prepared and equipped non-government organisations, and helping communities be more prepared and resilient. This will help emergency responses to be more effective and make better use of Australian assistance during crises.

Better analysis and risk reduction, building Australia's capacity to assess risk and prepare for high risk scenarios in recognition that prevention is likely to be less costly in human and financial terms than response.

Multilateral engagement

Estimated 2007-08 funding for multilateral institutions $309.1 million

Estimated 2007-08 funding for international organisations $212.5 million

Table 9: Aid through multilateral institutions in 2007-08

Program
Estimated funding 2007-08 ($m)		 Focus

World Bank (IDA) 179.4

Asian Development Bank (ADF)
91.5

 Negotiations for the next replenishment of IDA will take place during the 2007 calendar year. In 2007-08, Australia will provide for the early discharge of remaining commitments to the 13th IDA replenishment (see page 36). Australia will also continue support to the Asian Development Fund (ADF) in 2007-08. Negotiations for the next replenishment of ADF are expected to commence late in 2007 and be finalised in 2008-09.
Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative (HIPC)
14.2		 In 2007-08, Australia will continue supporting the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative (HIPC), which provides multilateral debt relief to the world's poorest and most heavily indebted countries which have demonstrated commitment to reform.
Global Environment Facility
(GEF) 19.7		 Australia will continue its commitment to the Global Environment Facility (GEF) in 2007-08. GEF supports projects in developing countries related to biodiversity, climate change, international waters, the ozone layer, land degradation and persistent organic pollutants.
Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol
(MPMF) 3.7		 In 2007-08, support will continue to be provided to the Multilateral Fund for the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, following the successful completion of its sixth replenishment.
International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
0.7		 2007-08 marks completion of Australia's contribution to earlier replenishments of IFAD's resources.
United Nations agencies
80.1		 Key areas of engagement focus on HIV/AIDS, basic education, health and humanitarian assistance, including core support to UNICEF.
Commonwealth organisations
13.3		 Support to the Commonwealth focuses on the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Cooperation which provides assistance to many small island developing states.
Other international programs
119.1

Support for key international health partners including the World Health Organisation (WHO), UNAIDS, the GAVI Alliance, and increased support for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (see page 23)

Support for other international programs including the International Tropical Timber Organisation and the Global Crop Diversity Trust, as well as support through the new Climate Change Partnerships initiative (see page 12).

Community engagement

Table 10: Community engagement in 2007-08

Program
Estimate 2007-08 ($m)		 Focus
Non-government organisations 38.3 Supporting accredited Australian NGOs to undertake cost-effective, practical and direct poverty reduction activities, including through the AusAID-NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP).
Volunteer programs
32.0		 Skills transfer and institutional strengthening, fostering understanding between Australian and partner country communities.
Direct Aid Program
4.0		 Small grants scheme administered by Australia's diplomatic posts in developing partner countries.
Public engagement and development education, development research program, and International Seminar Support Scheme
9.0

Increasing awareness of development issues and building the reputation of the Australian aid program in Australia and overseas

Long-term partnerships with research organisations and increasing domestic and international research focus on the Asia-Pacific region

Supporting participants from partner countries to attend development-oriented seminars in Australia and overseas.

Note: see page 34 for additional details of support for NGO, volunteer and community programs.

Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research

In 2007-08, total ODA for the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) is an estimated $45.8 million. Australia is working closely with partner countries to promote rural development through agricultural research and training. ACIAR develops projects that link Australian scientists with their counterparts in developing countries in the Asia-Pacific region to address agricultural problems of mutual priority that can contribute to improving livelihoods, increasing agricultural productivity and sustainability. Of ACIAR's bilateral programs, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea will remain the largest partners.

Estimated ODA in 2007-08 $45.8 million

Table 11: ACIAR programs in 2007-08

Program

Focus

Bilateral programs Bilateral programs with partners across the Asia-Pacific region will be focused on economics and farming systems, cropping systems, natural resource management and livestock systems. Projects also reflect the themes of Australia's National Research Priorities, and are designed to boost scientific, social and economic capacity. Priorities for each partner country are developed in close collaboration with partner government policy makers, research institutions, and agricultural and natural resource systems managers.
  • In Indonesia, ACIAR's largest partner, 53 new projects will commence in 2007-08 including through the Smallholder Agribusiness Development Initiative Subprogram.
  • In Papua New Guinea, ACIAR's second largest partner, 28 new projects will focus on supporting applied technical and economic research on plantation crops, root and other horticulture crops, forestry and fisheries.
  • Smaller scale investments will be made in the Philippines, Vietnam and several Pacific island countries.
  • Programs in India and China are increasingly attracting co-funding in recognition of the increasing pace of development in both countries.
  • Investments in Thailand are directed to project activities that deliver benefits to other Mekong countries, in recognition of Thailand's role as an economic leader in the area.
Multilateral programs Contributions to International Agricultural Research Centres (IARCs) will continue to support core funding and project specific funding:
  • Core funding priorities are to foster strong linkages between IARCs, ACIAR and Australian research organisations in partner countries, and to strengthen IARC governance.
  • Project specific funding will be on a competitive basis, based around ACIAR's country priorities, and will continue to strengthen the link between Australian research organisations, IARCs and other NGOs.
Training programs ACIAR will continue to support the development of skills amongst partner country research scientists through formal training courses, fellowships, and informal project activities and interactions:
  • Continuing two fellowship schemes will help develop the skills of partner country scientists involved in ACIAR projects, one through postgraduate studies in Australia, the second via short-term research management training of outstanding leaders at relevant Australian institutions.
  • The ATSE Crawford Fund will continue supporting training activities that complement ACIAR training and projects.
Communicating research results
  • ACIAR will continue to disseminate the results of research that it funds through electronic and hard-copy scientific publications, as well as publications that raise awareness of research and development activities and outcomes, helping build the bridge between research and adoption through the provision of low cost or free access to a range of publications
  • Training and capacity building through scientific communication is also supported
Evaluating impacts ACIAR's project evaluation program will commission independent cost-benefit studies on the impacts arising from projects:
  • Five major studies of projects or suites of projects will be undertaken in 2007-08.
  • An adoption study will also be commissioned for all large projects (greater than $0.4 million) completed in 2003-04, where no follow up projects were undertaken, to determine the level of adoption and impact.
Other research activities and corporate support ACIAR funds a range of other research and corporate support activities.

Diagram 7: Estimated ACIAR research expenditure by region 2007-08

Diagram 7: Estimated ACIAR research expenditure by region 2007-08

Source: ACIAR

Previous PageContents and DownloadNext Page