March 23, 2011

As other committed governments, the Australian government is currently reviewing the efficiency and effectiveness of its overall aid programme. The review will assess the appropriateness of Australia’s geographic and sectoral focus, the performance of its aid programmes, and consider the future overall organizational structure for AusAid. With about 10% of Australia’s Official Development Assistance allocated for humanitarian assistance, we believe that this is an important part of Australia’s aid programme that deserves attention in the review process. Australia could improve the quality, effectiveness and impact of its humanitarian assistance by providing more flexible funding, allocating its aid to crises in proportion to the level of needs and vulnerability, and improving its support and commitment to humanitarian accountability initiatives.

Our research shows that Australia is particularly strong at providing timely funding to complex emergencies, facilitating humanitarian access, participating in humanitarian accountability initiatives and supporting international risk mitigation mechanisms, refugee law and coordination.