Red Cross Australia's Global Reach And Impact

what countries does red cross australia help

The Australian Red Cross is a humanitarian aid and community services charity that has been providing support for 110 years. It is part of the world's largest humanitarian network, with links to 190+ National Societies in countries around the world. The organisation has helped countries in the Asia-Pacific region, including the Maldives, Christmas Island, Fiji, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Timor-Leste, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Morocco, and Ukraine. They also provide international humanitarian law advocacy, migration support, emergency management, and blood donation services.

Characteristics Values
Number of countries supported 186
Number of volunteers 100 million
Countries supported Pacific, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Fiji, Mongolia, Timor-Leste, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Morocco, Middle East, Ukraine, Maldives, Christmas Island, Australia
Types of support Disaster preparedness, response, recovery, blood donation, migration services, community resilience, international capacity building, humanitarian law advocacy, emergency management, community services
Organisations supported Ministries of health, national disaster management authorities

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Countries in the Asia-Pacific region

The Australian Red Cross is a humanitarian aid and community services charity that provides support to countries in the Asia-Pacific region. As part of the world's largest humanitarian network, with links to 190+ National Societies across the globe, the Australian Red Cross has a long history of helping countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

In the Asia-Pacific region, the Australian Red Cross has provided aid and support to countries like the Maldives, where they helped clear debris after the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami. They also sent aid workers to Christmas Island in 2010 to assist survivors of the boat disaster that year. Additionally, they have provided support to countries affected by natural disasters, such as Fiji and Bangladesh, which experienced cyclones, and Mongolia and Timor-Leste, which faced flooding. The organisation also responded to a landslide in Papua New Guinea and earthquakes in Vanuatu.

The Australian Red Cross also works to strengthen the anticipatory action capabilities of countries in the region. This includes supporting countries, with a particular focus on the Pacific, in establishing triggers related to multi-hazard forecasts and taking pre-agreed actions before disasters occur to reduce their impact. This anticipatory or early action can save lives, protect assets, and safeguard development gains.

The Australian Red Cross's collaboration with National Societies in Asia-Pacific countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, and Bangladesh during the COVID-19 pandemic is another example of their regional involvement. Their overall program goal is to build stronger, more resilient communities capable of preparing for, responding to, and recovering from disasters and crises, with a priority focus on Asia-Pacific nations.

The organisation's commitment to the Asia-Pacific region is evident through its history, network, and targeted initiatives. With a presence in the region for over a century, the Australian Red Cross continues to play a vital role in disaster preparedness, response, and community resilience across the Asia-Pacific.

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Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Malaysia

The Australian Red Cross is a member of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, which is the largest global humanitarian network, with links to 190 Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies. The Australian government has a longstanding, multi-year partnership with the Australian Red Cross, with multi-year funding support and supplementary funding in response to sudden humanitarian crises.

Bangladesh

The Australian Red Cross has worked with the Bangladeshi government to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and to respond to cyclones.

Indonesia

The Australian Red Cross has worked with the Indonesian government and the Indonesian Red Cross to respond to the impacts of COVID-19, providing AUD 3.6 million to restore economic opportunities, provide accurate information on the risks of COVID-19, and supply essential relief to women, children, and vulnerable communities. Australia has also adapted its development program in Indonesia to provide AUD 21 million in new initiatives to support Indonesia's health, humanitarian, and economic response to COVID-19.

Australia has a long history of working with the Indonesian Red Cross to respond to natural disasters. The Australian Red Cross has provided funding as part of a new AUD 5.4 million five-year package to strengthen Indonesia's disaster management system.

Malaysia

The Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRC) is the Malaysian Red Cross equivalent and is recognised by the Malaysian government as a volunteer aid organisation. It was established in 1948 as branches of the British Red Cross Society in the former British North Borneo (now the Malaysian state of Sabah) and Sarawak. It was renamed the Malaysian Red Crescent Society in 1975 and was awarded the Nansen Medal by the UNHCR in 1977 for aiding thousands of refugees arriving in Malaysia due to the conflict in Indo-China. The MRC has also responded to international disasters, such as the 2011 Japan earthquake and tsunami, the 2015 Nepal Earthquake, and the 2018 Sulawesi earthquake and tsunami in Indonesia.

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Fiji and Bangladesh

The Australian Red Cross is part of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the largest humanitarian network in the world, with links to 190 Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies. The Australian government has a longstanding partnership with the Australian Red Cross, providing multi-year funding support and supplementary funding in response to sudden humanitarian crises.

Fiji

The Fiji Red Cross Society (FRCS) was established in 1952 and was officially recognised as a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in 1972. FRCS offers various first aid kits and ambulatory aids for sale to help with the safety and wellbeing of the Fijian community. It also has a strong volunteer base, with volunteers from Fiji and around the world. The FRCS has worked with the Fijian government to respond to cyclones and other natural disasters in the country.

Bangladesh

The Australian Red Cross has worked with the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society in Cox's Bazar to improve living conditions in refugee camps. The Red Cross has helped build new shelters, provide food and relief items, and promote water, sanitation, and hygiene. They have also provided healthcare and psychosocial support to refugees, many of whom suffer from physical wounds and psychological trauma due to the violence and conflict they have experienced. The work of humanitarian organisations, including the Red Cross, has been supported by the generous people and government of Bangladesh.

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Mongolia and Timor-Leste

The Australian Red Cross is part of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the largest humanitarian network in the world, with links to 190 Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies. The Australian Government has a longstanding partnership with the Australian Red Cross, providing multi-year funding support, which is complemented by supplementary funding in response to sudden humanitarian crises.

In Mongolia, the Australian Red Cross has worked with the Mongolian Red Cross Society (MRCS), the largest humanitarian organisation in the country, to respond to flooding. The MRCS was established in 1939 as part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and serves as an auxiliary to the Mongolian Government. The MRCS has 33 mid-level branches and over 800 primary level branches across the country. The organisation has seven core program areas, including disaster management, which helps communities prepare for and recover from natural and man-made disasters such as earthquakes and floods. The MRCS Youth program educates Mongolian youth on humanitarian values and principles, with Red Cross youth clubs established in many Mongolian kindergartens, schools, and universities. The organisation also has a Water and Sanitation program, which aims to reduce the spread of infectious diseases by improving access to clean water and sanitation facilities, as well as providing hygiene education. Another key program is the MRCS HIV/AIDS program, which aims to decrease the prevalence of HIV/STIs and reduce discrimination against infected individuals.

In Timor-Leste, the Australian Red Cross has collaborated with the Timor-Leste Red Cross, or Cruz Vermelha de Timor-Leste (CVTL), which was established in 2000 and legally recognised as an auxiliary to the Timor-Leste Government in 2005. The CVTL is guided by the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. As a volunteer network-based national organisation, the CVTL delivers humanitarian services to vulnerable people, improves institutional and community-based systems, and ensures a countrywide presence. The CVTL also focuses on improving health for everyone by funding research, leading policy and advocacy campaigns, and building global partnerships.

Through its work in Mongolia and Timor-Leste, as well as other countries, the Australian Red Cross plays a unique and important role in international humanitarian action.

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Papua New Guinea

The Australian Red Cross is part of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, which is the world's largest humanitarian network. The Australian branch supports countries across the region, with a particular focus on the Pacific.

In Papua New Guinea, the Australian Red Cross has responded to a landslide and is supporting the country in its fight against COVID-19. The Papua New Guinea Red Cross Society (PNG Red Cross) is also involved in Community-Based First Aid training, which includes training in childbirth, a critical skill in a community where 2-3 babies are born each month. The nearest health centre is on another island, so this training can help save lives. The Red Cross must also lead on anticipation and preparedness for the changing nature of disaster impact in the country, as climate change exacerbates the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events.

Frequently asked questions

The Australian Red Cross aims to reduce human suffering and improve people’s lives, no matter who they are or where they live.

The Australian Red Cross provides international aid across the Asia-Pacific region, international humanitarian law advocacy, migration support, and emergency management. They have provided aid in the Maldives, Christmas Island, Fiji, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Timor-Leste, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Morocco, the Middle East, and Ukraine.

The Australian Red Cross is part of the world's largest humanitarian organisation, with volunteers in 186 countries.

The Australian Red Cross is guided by seven fundamental principles shared throughout the International Red Cross Red Crescent Movement. It is a non-religious, neutral, impartial, and independent humanitarian organisation with no political, religious, or cultural affiliations.

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