For Immediate Release

NZ government urged to increase humanitarian aid funding for Iraq and Syria

As discussions heat up on how New Zealand should respond to the growing crises in Iraq and Syria, the NGO Disaster Relief Forum of Aotearoa (NDRF) is calling for the New Zealand Government to focus on increasing financial support for the ongoing humanitarian response in the region.

“The New Zealand government and the public have been contributing to this crisis for some time, but the problem has simply escalated. We need to continue supporting the work that is being done to help combat this horrific humanitarian crisis,” says the chair of the NDRF and TEAR Fund CEO Ian McInnes.

Many NDRF members are working with, and supporting, local community organisations who know first-hand what the humanitarian needs are for people in their area and are able to navigate through the complexities of conflict in the region. Their work includes ongoing support of the refugee crisis in neighbouring countries, including Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey.

“Our partners have been operating in both [Iraq and Syria] for decades. They have a strong track record with local authorities and know how to get things done,” says Pauline McKay, the National Director of Christian World Service.

The latest UN report on the humanitarian response in Syria says that over the last three years humanitarian needs have increased more than six times the rate of funding. While in Iraq the UN reports 5.2 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance, a situation that has continued to deteriorate since June last year.

The UN appeal for Iraq alone is for US$2.2 billion, but they have so far received only 37% of that figure. Members of the European Parliament have called for the international community to deliver on its pledges to step up humanitarian aid.

In its bid to get a seat on the UN Security Council, New Zealand lobbied on the issue of peace and security. Now it is a member of the Council the pressure is on for it to show more leadership in the burgeoning humanitarian crisis.

*Non-Governmental Organisations Disaster Relief Forum (NDRF) ndrf.org.nz is an open forum for 16 New Zealand-based NGOs that are involved in international humanitarian response and emergency management. NDRF is an autonomous sub-committee of the Council for International Development. NDRF members are ADRA - Adventist Development Relief Agency New Zealand, Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand, cbm New Zealand, ChildFund New Zealand, Christian World Service, Habitat for Humanity, The Leprosy Mission New Zealand, Oxfam New Zealand, Rotary New Zealand World Community Service, The Salvation Army New Zealand, Save the Children New Zealand, SurfAid, TEARFund New Zealand, UNICEF New Zealand, World Vision New Zealand, World Animal Protection. NDRF has two observers: Red Cross and Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management.

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