Caritas Australia has joined faith-based agencies to campaign for a “Safer World for All”, calling for the Australian Government to help prevent global catastrophes by investing in foreign aid, building a fairer global economy and taking action on climate change.
The Safer World for All coalition consists of 25 humanitarian aid agencies and faith-based charities, including Caritas Australia. It is supported by the Australian Council for International Development, Micah Australia, and Global Citizen. The campaign launched with a panel discussion at the Global Citizen NOW conference in Melbourne this week.
“The world’s most vulnerable communities face challenges on multiple fronts with many exposed to conflict, climate change and financial pressures, all at once,” Caritas chief executive Kirsty Robertson said.
“Without intervention, further hunger, poverty, and displacement is inevitable. Governments, such as ours here in Australia, can and must intervene to limit the damage.”
The Safer World for All campaign calls for:
- The Humanitarian Emergency Fund to be doubled to $300 million annually to respond to crises as they happen.
- An additional $350 million investment to better prepare for mounting natural disasters and protracted humanitarian crises.
- The expansion of Australia’s foreign aid budget to 0.37% of gross national income by 2027 with a bipartisan commitment to reach 0.5%.
- $4 billion in global climate finance contributions and a $100 million initial contribution to the Loss and Damage Fund.
Safer World for All also campaigns for Australia to support global efforts to make debt, tax, and investment fairer for the developing world, especially given 10 of Australia’s top 15 export markets today are countries where we once provided foreign aid.
Attending the Melbourne launch, Caritas director of advocacy Damian Spruce said: “What Safer World for All tells us is that everybody benefits from reducing the global damage wrought by climate impacts, humanitarian crises, and economic disparity.”
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Caritas Australia joins faith based agencies to campaign for a Safer World for All (Caritas Australia)
