- Australians have donated generously with more than $3.5m from public donations raised since Friday’s launch
- Including the Australian Federal Government contribution $2m the Joint Appeal has now raised $5.5m – a record for an Emergency Action Alliance Joint Appeal
- Joint Appeal has received significant editorial support across the media ABC, SBS, Commercial TV and Radio and Major Publishers
A Joint Appeal, run by Australia’s leading charities, today confirmed it has received more than $5.5 million in donations to support people affected by catastrophic flooding and landslides in communities along the Nepal-China border.
Entire communities have been impacted as floodwaters and landslides swept through remote mountain areas, destroying homes, roads, bridges and critical infrastructure. More than 4200 people are missing and out of contact as search and rescue efforts continue, while thousands more remain in urgent need of shelter, food, clean water, medical assistance and other essential supplies.
Public donations to the Emergency Action Alliance (EAA) have now passed the $3.5 million mark, while Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Dr Anne Aly, Minister for International Development, announced earlier this week it would increase its contribution to the EAA appeal from $1 million to $2 million, bringing the total raised in the Joint Appeal to over $5.5m in five days.
EAA Executive Director Kerren Morris said the generosity of Australians has been significant. “In less than a week we have raised more than $5.5m demonstrating the very real generosity of Australians to those affected by this tragedy in Nepal,” said Ms Morris.
“Australians have seen the devastating stories emerging from Nepal. Their donations will help trusted aid agencies deliver urgent assistance to communities affected by last week’s catastrophic flash floods.”
“The scale of the need is immense, but every donation is providing lifesaving support to people who have lost loved ones, homes and livelihoods.”
The charities responding to the emergency as part of the Joint Appeal are: Save the Children Australia, Plan International Australia, Oxfam Australia, ActionAid Australia, CARE Australia, Caritas Australia, ADRA, Act For Peace, Anglican Overseas Aid, Australian Lutheran World Service, Baptist World Aid Australia, CBM Australia, and Tearfund Australia.
Across the Australian media, the Joint Appeal has also had significant editorial support both on-air and online from broadcasters and publishers including both national public broadcasters, the ABC and SBS, as well as FreeTV and Commercial Radio & Audio members, and numerous major publishers including News Corp Australia, Nine and Guardian Australia.
This week, a number of these broadcasters have also given on-air advertising time over the coming weeks for the Joint Appeal which is expected to further increase total raised.
“We are so heartened by the broad media support the Joint Appeal has received from our media partners,” said Morris. “They have collectively given the Australian public a clear message of where they can donate with confidence and know that the funds are going to those most affected.”
Morris said pooling resources into a single, trusted appeal was the most effective way to ensure help reached those who needed it.
“When Australians give through the Joint Appeal, they can be confident their donation is going to organisations with a genuine, longstanding presence in the region — 13 of our 15 member agencies are already responding on the ground right now.”
ENDS
For media enquiries contact Julia Dotras on 0494 396 407
NOTE TO EDITORS:
The situation is continuing to evolve. Current information includes:
- More than 4200 people are still missing, including hundreds of foreigners. The tally has grown after some 900 were reported missing from hydropower projects. Rescue efforts were complicated by fears of new flooding.
- Severe flooding and landslides have affected communities along the Nepal-China border.
- Homes, roads, bridges and critical infrastructure have been damaged or destroyed.
- Search and rescue operations remain underway.
- Thousands of people are believed to require immediate humanitarian assistance.
- Priority needs include emergency shelter, food, clean water, hygiene supplies and medical care.
- Access to some affected communities remains difficult due to damaged transport routes and ongoing weather conditions.
About Emergency Action Alliance (EAA)
EAA brings together 15 leading Australian NGOs to raise funds quickly and efficiently to respond to humanitarian emergencies as they unfold. Members include ActionAid Australia, Act For Peace, ADRA, Anglican Overseas Aid, Australia for UNHCR, Australian Lutheran World Service, Baptist World Aid Australia, CARE Australia, Caritas Australia, CBM Australia, ChildFund Australia, Oxfam Australia, Plan International Australia, Save the Children Australia and Tearfund Australia.
About CARE Australia
CARE Australia supports women around the globe to save lives, defeat poverty and achieve social justice. We work in partnership with local communities to provide equal opportunities for women that they have long been denied: the ability to earn an income, gain access to their fair share of resources, to lead and participate in decisions that affect their lives, and to be able to withstand the increasing impacts of climate disasters and other crises. www.care.org.au
