Humanitarian aid 2004-05

Background

Although the primary role of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) is to defend Australia and its national interests, it is also equipped to provide humanitarian aid to Australia and surrounding regions. This may occur in war zones, regions experiencing environmental or developmental problems, or areas affected by natural disasters.

The crew of HMAS Tobruk works with the local population to unload flour and grain for starving citizens in Somalia, 1993. (George Gittoes, AWM P01735.106)

The ADF – encompassing the Australian Army, Royal Australian Navy, and Royal Australian Air Force – have assisted in humanitarian missions across the globe, including those overseen by the United Nations. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) endorses four principles to guide the humanitarian efforts of its member states: humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence. (1)

On Boxing Day 2004, an intense earthquake in the Indian Ocean caused several tsunamis which struck the shores of Asian and African countries, devastating communities. Indonesia was the worst affected country, with more than 150,000 deaths. (2)

The Australian Government responded to the crisis by deploying ADF personnel, Australian Federal Police members, staff from government departments, and Australian aid workers to the region. Australia provided Indonesia with 60 million dollars in humanitarian aid, and $1 billion in reconstruction loans.(3) Over the following months Australians served in Indonesia on Operation Sumatra Assist and Operation Sumatra Assist Phase II.