Federal ministers, parliamentarians and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade officials stepped into the role of frontline humanitarian responders yesterday. Source: Caritas Australia.
Caritas and Church Agencies Network Disaster Operations (CAN DO), brought the realities of disaster response in the Asia Pacific region to life at the Australian Non-Governmental Organisation Parliamentary Showcase at Parliament House.
The showcase highlighted how local church networks are uniquely positioned to support communities before, during and after disasters, helping families prepare for crises, respond when emergencies strike, and rebuild for the long term.
Examples included the work of CAN DO, a consortium of Australian church-based agencies working together to strengthen disaster preparedness, resilience and humanitarian response globally.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Minister for International Development and Multicultural Affairs Anne Aly addressed participating NGOs during the showcase, thanking the sector for its dedication to supporting vulnerable communities around the world and reflecting on the hope and connection this work brings at a time of growing global division.
At the Caritas and CAN DO activation, an interactive map saw ministers and officials placed in the role of an emergency response officer following a major disaster.
Participants were challenged to build a response by identifying pre-positioned relief supplies, activating local church-led hub offices and working with frontline churches serving as places of shelter, refuge and community support for affected families.
Caritas Australia chief executive Kirsten Sayers said the exercise demonstrated the value of local presence and trusted community relationships in humanitarian response.
“Church networks are already embedded in communities long before disaster strikes,” Ms Sayers said.
“When an emergency occurs, local partners do not need to arrive from elsewhere because they are already there, working alongside the people they serve.
“This is vital because in many parts of the Asia Pacific region, disasters do not happen in isolation. Communities are managing repeated emergencies while also facing long-term challenges such as conflict, food insecurity and climate impacts.
“Our role is to walk alongside people before, during and after disaster, helping communities prepare, respond and recover for as long as it takes.”
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Church led disaster response brought to life at Parliament House (Caritas Australia)
