Julie Bishop address to Council 2010
Previous responses
| ACFID member agencies respond to many emergencies, fostering efficient coordination processes among the NGO sector, international partners and the Australian Government. Australian NGOs have participated in assistance responses coordinated through international partners and local programs. | ||
Asia and the Pacific, October – November 2010(updated 4 Nov 2010)Australian humanitarian agencies are responding to multiple emergencies in Asia and the Pacific including cyclones (Myanmar and the Philippines), flooding (Vietnam), tsunamis (Indonesia) and volcanos (Indonesia). The eruption of the Mount Merapi volcano in Indonesia has killed at least 34 people and displaced more than 70,000. While in Mentawai, the three-metre-high tsunami wave caused by a strong earthquake left at least 449 people dead, with nearly 100 people still missing and more than 400 injured. Hundreds of houses have been washed away or damaged, and some 15,000 people are displaced. According to government estimates Cyclone Giri, which struck Burma on 22 October has left at least 71,000 people homeless and completely destroyed at least 15,000 houses, with a total of approximately 200,000 people affected. Australian agencies are working closely with affected communities to provide emergency food, shelter, health services and other essential needs. Australian agencies have long-standing links to each affected community and are working to ensure the needs of the most vulnerable are met and community livelihoods are restored. Donating cash remains the best way to assist affected communities. Donations can be made through ACFID member agency appeals. Pakistan floods 2010 (updated 10 January 2011)In July 2010 Pakistan was devastated by heavy rains, causing floods and landslides across the country. Over 1.9 million houses have been reported damaged or destroyed and over 18 million people have been affected in 78 districts, mainly in the agricultural provinces of Khyber Pakhunkhwa (KPK), Balochistan, Punjab and Sindh. The floods in Pakistan are the worst of the humanitarian disasters in five decades with the number of people affected exceeding the combined total of the 2004 Tsunami, the 2005 South Asia earthquake and 2010 Haiti earthquake. One fifth of the land has been affected by the flooding and most of the South may not be arable for another two planting seasons. This will result in several years of recovery for food security and livelihoods of the population in these areas, consequently leading to dependency on food aid for a significant period of time even once agricultural areas are restored. It is estimated that over the last seven months aid agencies have been providing much needed assistance through water delivery to nearly 3.2 million people every day, distributing nearly 30 million water purification tablets, educating nearly 1.9 million people on hygiene promotion, reaching 3.4 million people with food aid and helping 560,000 families rebuild their harvests. Australian agencies responding to this disaster include NGOs Act for Peace, ActionAid Australia, Anglicord, Australia for UNHCR, Baptist World Aid Australia, CARE Australia, Caritas Australia, CBM Australia, Muslim Aid Australia, Oxfam Australia, Plan International Australia, Save the Children Australia, Tear Australia, and World Vision Australia, and humanitarian agency the Australian Red Cross. Agencies are working with the Australian Government which has provided $75 million for the emergency response. To date, Australian agencies have raised contributions of over $16 million. Donating cash continues to be the best way the Australian public can help the Pakistani people. Donations can be made through ACFID member agency appeals. Image: An elderly man is carried to safety after water flooded his home in northwestern Pakistan © Abdul Majeed Goraya/IRIN Haiti earthquake — January 2010 (Updated 10 Jan 2011)On January 12th 2010 Haiti was hit by a devastating earthquake. This was Haiti’s most powerful earthquake in 200 years, leaving more than 200,000 people dead, 300,000 injured and 300,000 houses destroyed. The challenges surrounding the response have been unprecedented with political tension and governance and accountability issues stagnating progress. One year later only 15% of the required basic and temporary housing has been built, resulting in over 1 million people still living under tents and tarpaulins and 95% of the earthquake’s rubble still remaining. In addition to these challenges Haiti was struck by a cholera outbreak in October the same year. This second disaster has affected more than 122,000 people and has killed at least 2,600. Aid agencies have worked tirelessly to respond to these disasters during the last twelve months through providing food, hygiene and educational kit distributions, cash-for-work projects, psychosocial care and support, and temporary shelter. Australian agencies continue to utilise the support of the Australian public to provide lifesaving aid and are working with Haitian local communities to assist with livelihood and longer-term development planning. PNG cholera outbreak23 June 2010Cholera continues to spread in Papua New Guinea (PNG), and has now reached the capital Port Moresby where government health officials are describing the disease as a major national public health concern. Since the first case was reported in August 2009, more than 3,000 cases have been confirmed nationwide and more than 60 people have died. Cholera is fuelled largely by poor sanitation practices and inadequate access to safe drinking water. According to UNDP, about 58 per cent of PNG's six million inhabitants do not have access to safe drinking water. There are fears that the poor living conditions in many of Port Moresby's squatter settlements will provide a fertile environment for the disease to spread. Australian agencies continue to work with local health authorities in order to control the spread of the disease and provide treatment. Tropical Cyclone Tomas, Fiji — 15 March 2010Tropical cyclone Tomas (Category 4) hit Fiji on Monday 15 March. Warnings for hurricanes, storms and gale-force winds are still in place. The cyclone totally destroyed 517 houses and a further 1,150 houses were partly damaged. The estimated damage to other sectors such as health, education and agriculture, including infrastructure, is so far estimated at almost FJ$35 million, of which almost $23 million is agricultural damage, mainly on Taveuni.The Fijian Government activated its national pre-positioned response plan. The Australian Government has provided $1 million towards the humanitarian response. Australian agencies continue to work with their partner’s in-country to provide emergency assistance such as shelter, food and clothing. Chile earthquake – 27 February 2010A magnitude 8.8 earthquake hit Chile at 3:35am local time on Saturday 27 February. Aftershocks as large as 6.0 in magnitude are still continuing. The epicentre was 325 km southwest of the capital in the moderately populated region of Bio-Bio in central Chile. Countrywide about 1.5 million Chileans were affected and 200,000 homes severely damaged.The Australian Government has provided $1 million in emergency assistance and an additional $4 million for reconstruction and recovery. Australian agencies are supporting their in-country partners' emergency assistance efforts.
On 30 September 2009, a powerful earthquake struck just off the coast of Padang, West Sumatra. Another earthquake struck Jambi on the east coast of central Sumatra on 1 October. The Indonesian Government confirmed over 1,000 deaths and severe damage to around 200,000 buildings. Australian agencies continue to respond to the disaster. These include ActionAid Australia, Australian Red Cross, CARE Australia, Caritas Australia, Muslim Aid Australia, Oxfam Australia, World Vision Australia and Plan Australia. | ||
China earthquakeOn 12 May 2008 Sichuan province in China was rocked by a 7.9-magnitude earthquake. The devastating quake left thousands dead and many others injured or buried beneath the rubble. The quake caused widespread damage to communication, transport and building infrastructure. Initial rescue efforts were hindered by damage to infrastructure and heavy rain. The quake also caused concern over the stability of dams and infrastructure in the affected mountainous area, and landslides blocked a main river that flows to the region.Image: China soldiers evacuate Beichuan, 13 May 2008 (Photo courtesy of Reuters AlertNet) |  | |
Cyclone Nargis, BurmaCyclone Nargis struck Burma's coastline on 2-3 May 2008 and authorities declared five states and divisions (Yangon, Ay, Bago, Mon and Kayin) to be disaster areas. Thousands died and hundreds of thousands were displaced and made homeless, particularly in the Ayeyarwaddy (Irrawaddy) delta region. The combined total population of the declared disaster areas is around 24 million. Roughly 6 million live in Yangon and a significant population is spread across the delta region. Initial efforts to carry out a comprehensive assessment were hindered by the lack of communications and blocked roads.Image: Strong wind and heavy rain as Cyclone Nargis hits Yangon, 3 May 2008 (Photo courtesy of REUTERS/Stringer) |  | |
Java landslidesIn December 2007, floods in Indonesia were the worst seen in Central and East Java since the mid 1990s. Landslides and floods burst the banks of the Bengawan Solo River which resulted in the deaths of 127 people and affected over 500,000 residents. The flooding destroyed many homes and crops.Kenya political unrestPolitical unrest in Kenya following presidential elections that took place on 27 December 2007 left 500 people dead and hundreds of thousands displaced. The wave of violence arising from post-election riots stunted existing Australian aid projects and restricted access for aid efforts to respond. Australian aid agencies assisted the Kenya Red Cross along with other partners to provide financial assistance, non-food items, food, safe drinking water and medical supplies.Southern Africa floodsHeavy rains in Southern Africa in December 2007 caused widespread flooding in Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi. In Mozambique, up to 55,000 people were affected by the flooding of the main river basins. Reports confirmed Zambia experienced damage to crops in the south and south west of the country, and up to 1,400 households lost homes and livestock in Malawi.Arc of Africa floodsDrought-stricken regions in sub-Saharan Africa experienced unprecedented downpours of rain in mid 2007. The worst floods in three decades affected 22 countries and an estimated 1.5 million people. The most severe flooding struck Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Mali, Niger, Sudan, Togo and Uganda. Initial estimates were that over a million people were in need of urgent assistance. Assessments of the emergency situation indicated concerns of a humanitarian crisis. | ||
Bangladesh cycloneCyclone Sidr, which struck Bangladesh on 15 November 2007, had a catastrophic impact despite early warning systems and shelters saving an estimated 100,000 lives. The resultant floods affected around 3 million people with approximately 2000 people killed and a similar number reported missing. Fifteen districts were seriously affected with extensive damage to housing and agriculture. The damage to road and telecommunication infrastructure meant that many areas were inaccessible and the full extent of the damage was difficult to determine.Image: Survivors of Cyclone Sidr gather outside their makeshift camp on the bank of river Baleshar in Sarankhola, November 20, 2007 (Photo courtesy of Reuters/Rafiqur Rahman (Bangladesh)) |  | |
Papua New Guinea floodsDays of heavy rain following Cyclone Guba in November 2007 caused severe flooding in Papua New Guinea. The floods washed away hundreds of homes, road infrastructure and crops. The PNG government declared a state of emergency and early reports estimated 113,000 people had been affected by the floods. The death toll was over 70 with many more people reported to be missing in the isolated communities along the coast and in the mountainous areas. The provision of aid assistance proved to be a logistical challenge with limited access to the most affected communities such as Oro Province and Milne Bay.Image: Floodwaters destroyed a main bridge in Oro province (Photo courtesty of OxfamAUS) |  | |
DarfurSince 2003, there has been ongoing violence in the Darfur region of western Sudan. Fighting involving government forces, government-backed 'janjaweed' militia and a number of rebel groups has resulted in widespread devastation, the deaths of an estimated 400,000 people and the displacement of over 2 million people. The conflict has exacerbated an already severe humanitarian situation brought about by drought, desertification and overpopulation. According to the United Nations and many other observers, Darfur is the worst humanitarian crisis in the world today, with many of those displaced having limited or no access to international assistance.Image: New arrivals in Gereida camp, South Darfur (Photo courtesy of Oxfam Australia) |  | |
South Asia floodsThe 2007 annual monsoon season caused severe flooding in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, China and Pakistan, resulting in over 400 deaths, and displacing millions of people. Australian NGOs responded to the affected countries through local partners, and provided food, shelter and other household items, water and sanitation systems, and psychosocial support for children and other support services.Image: Residents walk on bamboo poles to get to their home in the flooded village of Raotgaon at Lauhajang, 70km (44 miles) from the capital Dhaka, August 6, 2007 (Photo courtesy of Reuters/Rafiqur Rahman) |  | |
Solomon Islands tsunamiOn 2 April 2007, a large earthquake measuring at least 8.0 on the Richter Scale, and a tsunami, hit Western and Choiseul Provinces in the Solomon Islands. Gizo, and surrounding islands were severely affected with many buildings flooded and destroyed. Water supply was affected, and transport hampered by the destruction of the airstrip and local wharves. Fifty-two people were confirmed dead and thousands left homeless. Australian NGOs worked with the Solomon Islands Government in the relief effort. | ||
Jakarta floodsHeavy rain from late January 2007 triggered flooding in Jakarta, inundated thousands of houses and other buildings, including about 1,500 schools, and displaced some 340,000 people. At least 50 people were killed, and roads, safe water, telephone lines and electricity were inaccessible to many of the city's residents. Districts surrounding Jakarta — including Bogor, Depok, Tangerang and Bekasi — were also seriously affected.Image: Trucks belonging to a state-owned oil and gas company line up to fill their tanks at a flooded fuel terminal in Jakarta February 7, 2007 (Photo courtesy Reuters/Crack Palinggi) |  | |
2006 Horn of Africa food crisisAn acute shortage of food is affecting Somalia, Kenya, Djibouti and Ethiopia. Millions of people are regularly affected by severe droughts, the effects of which are exacerbated by military conflicts in the region. A number of ACFID members continue to provide ongoing support in the region.Food crises in Africa: an overview (Oxfam International) (  268kb)Lebanon conflictFollowing the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel in July and August 2006, a number of ACFID members are continuing to deliver food, medical supplies and other essential services to the hundreds of thousands of refugees and internally displaced people.Java earthquakeAn earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale shook the Yogyakarta area on 27 May 2006. The centre of the quake was under the seabed south of Java. Over 4,500 people were killed, and 80% of homes in the area have been flattened.East Timor tensionsFollowing civil strife in April and May 2006, an estimated 150,000 Timorese people were displaced, a large proportion of whom were women and children. A number of ACFID members are still conducting operations to assist those people who remain displaced, in areas including shelter, water and sanitation, food and medical assistance.Philippine landslideA series of mudslides on February 17, 2006 caused widespread damage and loss of life in the Philippine province of Southern Leyte.Pakistan earthquakeOn 8 October 2005, an earthquake measuring 7.5 on the Richter scale struck South Asia. The epicentre was 95 kilometres northeast of Islamabad Pakistan, and parts of Northern Pakistan, India and Afghanistan were devastated. The quake killed more the 73,000 people in Pakistan and 1,300 in India. Australian agencies continue to provide support to the reconstruction of these areas.Indian Ocean TsunamiOn 26 December 2004, an earthquake measuring 9.15 on the Richter Scale triggered giant waves which claimed over 230,000 lives and left millions of people homeless in ten countries. The tsunami not only destroyed large areas of land and millions of homes, but also destroyed the livelihoods and hopes of the millions of survivors.For information on the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami, including total revenue raised, ACFID accountability reports and evaluations, and other useful links visit ACFID — Indian Ocean Tsunami. Back to Humanitarian and Emergencies | ||
At The Scene Of The Crime: Essays reflections and poetry on East Timor 1999-2010