Labor is deeply concerned by what is now the worlds worst humanitarian crisis - the 23 million people across the Horn of Africa, the Great Lakes, and the Middle East struggling to access food and water as a result of poverty, drought, and protracted conflicts.
In Yemen, this is compounded by a cholera outbreak which is currently the largest cholera epidemic in the world. Oxfam analysis has found that the number of people suffering from cholera in Yemen is now the largest ever in any country in a single year since records began.
Labor welcomes the UN Security Council Presidential Statement urging greater humanitarian access in Yemen, South Sudan, Somalia and north-east Nigeria, and joins the call on all parties to allow safe, timely and unhindered access to the region.
Labor notes that the UN effort to raise $4.4 billion (USD) in response to the food security crisis in East Africa and the Middle East has fallen short globally.
The Australian Government has contributed $20 million towards food security in South Sudan and Somalia this year. However, Australias ability to make a meaningful contribution to humanitarian crises and global poverty is hindered by the Abbott/Turnbull Governments 24.2 per cent cut to the development budget.
The Government has also abandoned Australias bipartisan commitment to GNI growth, putting our development budget on an ever-diminishing trajectory.
Labor calls on the Australian Government to do more to address the humanitarian crisis in East Africa and the Middle East.