Australia's 2008 Contribution To Humanitarian Fund

Bob McMullan MP
Parliamentary Secretary For International Development Assistance
Member For Fraser

Australia's 2008 Contribution to Global Humanitarian Relief Fund

I am pleased to announce that Australia will make a $10 million contribution to the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund at the annual pledging conference in New York today.

This contribution brings Australia's total contribution to the Fund to $30 million since the Fund started in 2006.

The Fund enables the United Nations to respond to new and rapidly deteriorating humanitarian crises and to strengthen the UN's global coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance.

This funding will ensure that the United Nations and non government organisations have access to a pool of flexible financing in order to provide a dependable and timely international response to humanitarian crises, wherever they occur around the world.

The Fund has committed more than US$595 million to enable timely emergency responses in 59 countries affected by natural disasters and complex emergencies, including the recent floods in Bangladesh and Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

The contribution will be presented at the annual pledging conference held at the United Nations in New York today by Australia's Ambassador to the United Nations, H.E. Robert Hill.

Our contribution to the fund is in addition to the funding provided for humanitarian relief through Australia's bilateral relationship with countries in our region.

ENDS

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