As the coronavirus continues to impact low-income countries, New Zealand aid agencies welcome the $7m in aid funding
announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade to help some of the world’s most vulnerable people at risk from
the virus.
Aid agency coalition spokesperson and Tearfund CEO Ian McInnes said:
“We welcome the announcement of this desperately needed humanitarian funding. It comes as the first cases of coronavirus
are recorded in crisis-stricken areas, such as the Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh where super-cyclone Amphan is
predicted to also cause devastation in the next 24 hours. It’s hard to imagine the horrific impact it will have on
people already living in the harshest conditions as they struggle to physically distance themselves and maintain good
hygiene with limited access to clean water.”
He said, “As the coronavirus continues to spread, the humanitarian need is only going to increase. With the global
pandemic deepening existing crises such as the Rohingya refugee crisis and cyclone responses in the Pacific, the amount
of funding required globally now is significant, and nations cannot pull back now in the face of mounting global need.”
While the coalition believes that the funding is not enough, it is a start and at a time when there are many calls on
public finances.
“Even so, we would hope that New Zealand will continue to hear our global neighbours' call for help and will continue
prioritising humanitarian contributions. For instance, when the Asian tsunami devastated communities in 2004, we
provided the equivalent of over $61 million in humanitarian funding. We know that Kiwis are willing and ready to look
after others in times of great need.”
Mr McInnes said we need to make sure nobody is left out of the world’s response. Limiting outbreaks of coronavirus in
the most vulnerable areas and communities is vital because no one is safe until we are all safe.
In April, an open letter from the coalition of 14 international aid agencies called for $25 million in urgent,
additional humanitarian support to help those living in the world’s harshest places, such as refugee camps and war
zones.
Since then, the UN renewed its Global Humanitarian Response Fund, including an expansion of the amount it requires to
fund the Plan, from the initial US$2bn to a total US$6.7 bn. This reflects the fact that the coronavirus has now reached
every country, and its worst effects are expected to hit those most vulnerable over the coming three to six months.