Australia must stand against the growing trend of slashing foreign aid and maintain its funding as a matter of national security says Save the Children Australia, as global withdrawals of support set to have catastrophic impact on the world’s most vulnerable children.
Save the Children Australia CEO Mat Tinker says:
“The cut in foreign assistance globally is a dark and difficult moment for a world already struggling to meet the growing needs of children facing conflict, poverty, hunger and climate disasters. It comes at a time when children’s needs have never been greater. This withdrawal of support will have a direct and deadly impact on some of the world’s most vulnerable children,” said Mr Tinkler.
“In Australia, there have been reports over recent days that suggest our major parties are currently considering whether to boost foreign aid to fill any gaps left by cuts across the Pacific and South-East Asia or whether they are set to join the aid-slashing trend.
“Backing foreign aid isn’t just altruism - it’s a strategic move to protect our own national security. When world leaders talk about wanting to maintain a rules-based order, they should be reminded that foreign aid is fundamental to ensuring long-term prosperity and therefore security.
“The loss of US funding alone will widen the funding gap at a time when about one in every 11 children globally needs humanitarian assistance. Save the Children and many of our peers across the sector are being forced to significantly reduce staff numbers, end contracts with partner organisations, and close down some programmes, with huge impact on children. We are committed to continue our life-saving work. We cannot let children die on our watch.
“In 2023 alone, Save the Children supported 105 million children in 94 countries with our life-changing work and the needs are growing. The UN has estimated that more than 305 million people globally will need humanitarian assistance this year, including 210 million children.
“All of us at Save the Children are devastated by the moves by a number of governments to cut aid while others are also reducing their commitment to international collaboration. But we will not give up on children.
“For more than 100 years Save the Children has provided health care, nutrition, education and protection to children in need. No matter what the challenges, we have always put the needs of children first. We have always been among the first to respond to emergencies, such as conflict and hunger, and to secure policy changes that improve the lives of children and create lasting change.
“There must be bipartisan agreement that Australia’s foreign aid contribution is protected. Currently Australia allocates 0.19% of our Gross National Income (GNI) towards foreign aid – just 19 cents in every hundred dollars.
“Now is not the time to turn our backs on children in need. Now is the time to come together to a build a better and safer future.”
ENDS
MEDIA CONTACT: Mala Darmadi on 0425562113 or media.team@savethechildren.org.au.