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Emergency Aid

Emergency Aid

CARE staff and local people off-load goods from a boat for a multiple community’s distribution after Tropical Cyclone Harold. Photo: Valerie Fernandez/CARE.

CARE staff and local people off-load goods from a boat for a multiple community’s distribution after Tropical Cyclone Harold. Photo: Valerie Fernandez/CARE.

ACFID Members play a key role in responding to international emergencies – whether natural disasters or conflict around the world. Working alongside governments, UN agencies, and other humanitarian actors, ACFID Members provide vital life-saving assistance in the immediate aftermath of an emergency and then help communities and countries to rebuild in the medium to long term.

How to help: overseas emergencies and public donations

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When an emergency happens overseas, many Australians are moved to assist in any way they can. ACFID greatly appreciates the generosity of the Australian public to provide financial and non-financial support during these times.

During an emergency, we suggest donating to an ACFID member organisation. ACFID members are signatories to the ACFID Code of Conduct, a voluntary, self-regulatory sector code of good practice that aims to improve international development outcomes and increase stakeholder trust by enhancing the transparency and accountability of signatory organisations. The Code sets good standards for program effectiveness, fundraising, governance and financial reporting. In times of emergencies, ACFID members work with organisations on the ground who can disburse funds in responsible, effective and transparent ways.

Find out more about the standards ACFID members adhere to.

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Cash donations are preferable to gifts in kind for the following reasons:

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  • Waste: Donations that are not needed have significant environmental impact, as they either end up in landfill or use resources to be destroyed.
  • Cost: The costs associated with transport, storage and distribution of gifts in kind often outweigh the benefit of the goods provided. Transporting food and other goods to disaster affected areas can often take weeks, and in many cases may arrive too late to meet immediate needs. These goods may also clog up supply routes and warehouses and prevent life-saving supplies in getting through to affected countries.
  • Economy: Gifts in kind may distort local economies, which often struggle to recover after a crisis. Goods that are provided free of cost often force down the price of locally produced items thus distorting the local market. Sourcing goods locally can both stimulate local economies and provide for immediate needs following a crisis.
  • Relevance: In the case of donations of items such as machinery or medical equipment, consideration needs to be given to whether the intended recipients have the skills and knowledge required to operate and maintain the equipment, noting that replacement parts may not be available for equipment that is outdated or discontinued. It is also necessary to make sure the goods being sent comply with the recipient country’s import regulations, as lengthy customs delays can lead to additional costs for aid agencies

Read more about donating here.

ACFID, together with the World Food Programme, Council for International Development and Logistics Cluster are a part of ‘Donate Responsibly’, a campaign aimed at reducing the influx of goods donations arriving in the Pacific after a disaster. Read more about the campaign here

Emergency Appeals

ACFID compiles a list of members responding to humanitarian emergencies. The emergency appeal lists are a useful tool for the media and potential donors looking to see which ACFID Members are responding to a particular crisis.

If you are an ACFID member and would like us to list your emergency appeal on one of the pages below, please complete the ACFID Emergency Appeal Compliance Form. An Emergency Appeal Guide is available to assist members in ensuring Code compliance.

Humanitarian Action for Those in Greatest Neex

Effective and inclusive Development

Supporting NGOs as Valuable Partners

Development at the Heart of Australia’s International Engagement

Preventation of Sexual Exploitation and Harrasment

About

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Annual Report 2022-23

Reporting on ACFID’s activities to ensure transparency and accountability

ACFID

ACFID is the peak body for Australian NGOs involved in international development and humanitarian action.

Our PARTNERSHIPS

ACFID works and engages with a range of strategic partners in addition to our members.

GOVERNANCE

ACFID is governed by its Board, ACFID Council, and various expert and governance committees.

Members

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Meet our Members

The ACFID membership is comprised of Australian NGOs that actively work in the international aid and development sector.

Become a member

Joining ACFID means joining an experienced and powerful mix of like-minded organisations committed to good international development practice.

Membership types & fees

ACFID has two types of organisational membership: Full Membership and Affiliate Membership.

State of the Sector

The State of the Sector Report provides a comprehensive and robust analysis of the state of the Australian aid and development sector.

NGO Aid Map

ACFID’s NGO Aid Map allows the Australian public and stakeholders to explore the work of ACFID Members around the world.

Development Practice Committee

The DPC is an expert advisory group of development practitioners leading good practice within the sector.

Our Focus

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Federal Budget 23-24 Analysis

Facts and figures on how aid is presented in this year’s annual budget

Strategic Plan

ACFID prioritises a robust response to climate change and pressure on civil society in developing countries, as well as other key priorities.

Emergency Aid

ACFID Members provide vital life-saving assistance in the immediate aftermath of an emergency.

Climate Change

Action on climate change is one of ACFID’s highest priorities, as it is an existential threat to humanity and our development.

Civil Society

Civil societies are a cornerstone of regional stability and ensure that the voices of the marginalised are heard.

Supporting NGOS

Supporting NGOs as Valuable Partners.

Inclusive & locally led development

Walking the talk on inclusive development.

Humanitarian Action

Taking humanitarian action for those in greatest need.

Elevating Development

Elevating Development to the Heart of Australia’s International Engagement.

PSEAH

Improving standards, practice and culture to prevent and respond to sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

Code of Conduct

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2022-23 ACFID Code of Conduct Review

The ACFID Code of Conduct is periodically reviewed to ensure it continues to reflect good practice and the needs of ACFID and its members.

Code of Conduct

The Code is a voluntary, self-regulatory industry code of good practice.

About the Code

Find out more about the Code of Conduct and how it operates.

Good Practice Toolkit

Overview and practical resources, and examples to support the implementation of the Code.

Spotlight on the Code

Provides a thematic ‘deep dive’ into each of the nine Quality Principles in the Code

Compliance

This section outlines the responsibility to be taken by each Member to ensure compliance with the Code.

Complaints Handling

How to make a complaint and information on the Code’s independent mechanism to address concerns relating to an ACFID Members’ conduct.

Other Standards

Mapping the Code with other professional standards and principles in the humanitarian and aid sector in Australia and internationally

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