Humanitarian Organizations Australia

Australia is home to several humanitarian organizations that provide life-saving assistance on the frontlines of the world's most severe humanitarian crises. DONARE has selected thirteen of the largest and most influential non-governmental organizations (NGOs) or aid networks. In addition to these prominent humanitarian organizations, there are many other well-respected charities, relief organizations and aid agencies in Australia that work both locally and internationally. Australians are known as generous donors to international relief efforts and charitable causes.

Australian Red Cross

The Australian branch of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement provides assistance to people affected by disasters and conflicts, as well as health and community services. The Australian Red Cross, one of the most prominent humanitarian organizations in Australia, responds to disasters both domestically and internationally. The humanitarian organization provides emergency relief such as shelter, food, water, and medical assistance to those affected by natural disasters like bushfires, floods, cyclones, and earthquakes.

https://www.redcross.org.au/

Donate now to the Australian Red Cross 
https://www.redcross.org.au/donate/

Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors Without Borders Australia (MSF)

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international independent medical humanitarian organization. Médecins Sans Frontières translates to Doctors without Borders. The non-governmental organization (NGO) provides medical assistance to people affected by conflict, disasters, epidemics or exclusion from healthcare. Rapid and effective response to humanitarian emergencies is at the core of its work. Médecins Sans Frontières was founded in 1971 in Paris, France by a group of journalists and doctors. The Médecins Sans Frontières Australia office was set up in 1994.

https://msf.org.au/

Donate now to Doctors Without Borders/ Médecins Sans Frontières Australia 
https://donations.msf.org.au/donate-now

UNICEF Australia

UNICEF Australia is the Australian National Committee for the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), which works to promote the rights and well-being of children worldwide. The Australian charity is one of 34 National Committees, located in countries around the world, that raises funds for UNICEF’s emergency and development work and advocates for children’s rights worldwide.  The National Committees are a part of UNICEF’s global organization, each established as an independent local non-governmental organization (NGO). UNICEF Australia advances the global mission of the UN agency by rallying the Australian public to support the world’s most vulnerable children.

The United Nations Children's Fund is the agency of the UN responsible for providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide.  The UN agency is today one of the largest humanitarian organizations in the world. 

https://www.unicef.org.au/

Donate now to UNICEF Australia
https://www.unicef.org.au/donate

CARE Australia

CARE is an international humanitarian organization fighting global poverty and providing assistance in emergencies. The non-governmental organization (NGO) focuses on empowering women and girls. CARE nowadays stands for "Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere". The NGO, is one of the largest and oldest humanitarian aid organizations focused on fighting global poverty and social injustice. CARE Australia is a member of the global CARE Confederation. In 2020/21, the Australian branch assisted 2.3 million people across 24 countries. CARE Australia provides emergency relief, support sustainable development projects, and advocates for policy change.

https://www.care.org.au/

Donate now to CARE Australia 
https://www.care.org.au/donate/

Caritas Australia

Caritas Australia is the international aid and development agency of the Catholic Church in Australia. It operates as part of Caritas Internationalis, a confederation of Catholic relief, development, and social service organizations present in over 200 countries and territories worldwide. Since 1964, Caritas Australia works to address poverty, injustice, and inequality by supporting communities to build sustainable livelihoods, respond to emergencies, and advocate for social change. The Australian aid agency is currently active in 20 countries.

https://www.caritas.org.au/

Donate now to Caritas Australia
https://www.caritas.org.au/project-compassion/donate/

Please be aware: Faith-based organizations may pursue additional goals.

Australia for UNHCR

Australia for UNHCR is the United Nations Refugee Agency’s national funding partner for Australia. The non-governmental organization (NGO) is one of ten UNHCR National Fundraising Partners worldwide. The NGO helps refugees and other displaced people by advocating for their protection and raising funds to enable UNHCR to provide humanitarian assistance to displaced families in need around the world.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is a UN agency mandated to assist and protect refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people.  The organization is also known as the UN Refugee Agency. UNHCR was established on December 14, 1950, by the UN General Assembly to provide assistance to refugees resulting from World War II. On January 1, 1951, UNHCR began its work. Each year, the UN Refugee Agency helps millions of refugees and displaced persons worldwide. 

https://www.unrefugees.org.au/

Donate now to Australia for UNHCR
https://www.unrefugees.org.au/donate/

Oxfam Australia

Oxfam Australia is a leading humanitarian and development organization dedicated to addressing poverty and inequality, both in Australia and internationally. In times of crisis, such as natural disasters, conflicts, and displacement, the non-governmental organization (NGO) provides emergency relief assistance to affected communities, including distributing essential items like food, clean water, shelter materials, and hygiene kits, as well as supporting livelihoods recovery and rebuilding efforts. Oxfam Australia operates as part of the global Oxfam confederation, which includes Oxfam International and affiliates in various countries. The name “Oxfam” derives from the Oxford Committee for Famine Relief, founded in Britain in 1942. 

https://www.oxfam.org.au/

Donate now to Oxfam Australia
https://www.oxfam.org.au/donate/

Save the Children Australia

Save the Children Australia is the Australian branch of Save the Children, an international non-governmental organization (NGO) that works to improve the lives of children in Australia and around the world. The NGO was founded in 1919 by the teacher and social reformer Eglantyne Jebb in Britain. Save the Children Australia provides emergency assistance to children and families affected by natural disasters, conflicts, and other humanitarian crises. 

https://www.savethechildren.org.au/

Donate now to Save the Children Australia
https://www.savethechildren.org.au/donate/make-a-donation

World Vision Australia

Established in 1966, World Vision Australia has grown to become Australia's largest international non-governmental organization (NGO). Founded in 1950, World Vision is an evangelical Christian NGO focused on development cooperation and humanitarian disaster relief. Its work also focuses on helping children at risk. World Vision Australia is the Australian branch of the nonprofit organization. World Vision is now one of the world's largest aid organizations and one of the largest Christian non-governmental organizations. The NGO's charitable projects are primarily funded through child sponsorship. World Vision provides food, water, shelter, health care and education in more than 90 countries.

https://www.worldvision.com.au/

Donate now to World Vision Australia
https://www.worldvision.com.au/give/donate/make-a-general-donation

Please be aware: Faith-based organizations may pursue additional goals.

Plan International Australia

Plan International is a global organization working to advance children's rights and equality for girls. Plan International Australia is the Australian arm of this organization, focusing on international development and humanitarian projects. Founded in 1937 during the Spanish Civil War, Plan International is one of the oldest and largest children's aid organizations in the world. Plan International is active in more than 75 countries. The charity responds to emergencies and disasters that threaten the lives of children.

https://www.plan.org.au/

Donate now to Plan International Australia
https://www.plan.org.au/donate/

Church Agency Network Disaster Operations (CAN DO)

Church Agencies Network – Disaster Operations (CAN DO) is a consortium of faith-based agencies and a subgroup of the Church Agency Network (CAN). The alliance was formed in 2015 to better coordinate and strengthen the global humanitarian, disaster risk reduction and management and resilience building work of CAN. CAN is a group of twelve Church-based overseas aid and development agencies committed to empowering people and providing avenues for them to overcome injustice and poverty.

Members of CAN DO include Caritas Australia, Australian Lutheran World Service (ALWS), Act for Peace (AfP), Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), Anglican Board of Mission (ABM), Anglican Overseas Aid (AOA), Baptist World Aid Australia / Transform Aid International (TAI), and UnitingWorld (UW).

https://www.churchagenciesnetwork.org.au/index.php/can-do-consortium/

Please note: To support the CAN DO consortium, you can donate to one of its members.

Please be aware: Faith-based organizations may pursue additional goals.

ActionAid Australia

ActionAid is an international charity that works for gender equality and to end poverty and injustice. ActionAid Australia is the Australian arm, focusing on issues such as women's rights, education and economic empowerment. ActionAid Australia was originally established as Austcare, an NGO dedicated to defending the rights of people seeking asylum and protection in emergencies. In 2009, Austcare became part of the ActionAid Federation. The non-governmental organization (NGO) was founded as a charity in 1972. The global federation ActionAid International works in more than 50 countries.

https://actionaid.org.au

Donate now to ActionAid Australia
https://actionaid.org.au/actions/general-donate/

ChildFund Australia

ChildFund Australia is an independent international development and humanitarian organization working to reduce child poverty in many of the world's most disadvantaged communities. ChildFund Australia is a member of the global ChildFund Alliance - one of the world's oldest child-focused charities. With a global network of 11 organizations, the ChildFund Alliance serves nearly 36 million children and families in 70 countries. Alliance members also respond to humanitarian emergencies. 

https://www.childfund.org.au/

Donate now to ChildFund Australia
https://www.childfund.org.au/appeals/

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