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International aid

The Australian Government’s official overseas aid program aims to assist developing countries to reduce poverty and achieve sustainable development. It primarily focuses on the Asia Pacific region but targeted assistance is also provided to South Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

In 2004–05 Australia will provide an estimated $2.133 billion in official development assistance. Each year the aid program reaches more than 58 million people living in poverty. The Asia Pacific region has the world’s highest concentration of people living in abject poverty, with more than 800 million people surviving on less than $2 per day.

AusAID, the Australian Agency for International Development, manages the aid program and responds to the needs of developing country partners. This includes support in the areas of governance (economic institutions, peace and security), delivery of basic services (education and health), infrastructure and sustainable resource management.

In addition, the aid program provides substantial humanitarian and emergency assistance and manages an extensive overseas student scholarship program.

AusAID engages with a range of aid delivery organisations, including Australian companies and non-government and community-based organisations. Australia also provides support for the global community through contributions to multilateral development banks and UN agencies.

Through their overseas aid program, Australians make a practical and positive contribution to meeting the challenges facing our region.

Australia, through RAMSI—the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands—has restored law and order and stabilised government finances. RAMSI is now focused on assisting the Solomon Islands Government to undertake challenging long-term reforms, such as rebuilding government institutions (including the police), strengthening anti-corruption mechanisms and institutions, and reforming the economy.

Australia has been a lead contributor to the international effort to assist East Timor to become the world’s newest state.

Australia and Papua New Guinea are working together in the Enhanced Cooperation Program to help Papua New Guinea in the areas of law and order, justice, economic management, public sector reform, border control, and transport security and safety.

Australia is the leading HIV/AIDS donor in East Asia and the Pacific.

Australia’s aid effort has wiped out polio from the Pacific and funded measles and polio immunisations for more than 1.5 million children in Papua New Guinea.

AusAID works to improve the quality of basic services. HIV/AIDS, food security, water supply and sanitation programs totalling $15 million are helping the urban and rural poor in southern and south-eastern Africa.

Indian Ocean tsunami—Australia’s response

Official Australian contributions to direct relief and reconstruction efforts total more than $1 billion as at early January 2005. This comprises the $1 billion Australia–Indonesia Partnership for Reconstruction and Development announced by the Prime Minister on 5 January 2005 and $60 million announced in December 2004 by the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

The funding allocated for direct relief includes assistance for Indonesia, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Seychelles and for Australian non-government organisations (NGOs) and to support the relief work in other countries. As well, there is provision for the deployment of Australian technical and coordination specialist personnel.

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Last update May 2005