Charity regulator issues advice on overseas aid amid a flood of crises

The guidance comes amid multiple appeals to the Australian public in recent weeks from humanitarian aid groups such as Save the Children, World Vision and Care Australia highlighting the plight of victims of tragic events overseas.

Appeals have included calls for help to address the violence in Syria, earthquakes in Morocco and Afghanistan, and the escalating crisis in Gaza.

The ACNC urged people wanting to donate to first check its Charity Register, to ensure they donate to registered charities running verified appeals.

The register provides details such as:

• who runs a charity
• if a charity is up-to-date with financial reports

“These are basic signs that a charity is accountable, follows the rules and is transparent about the way it uses its funds,” the guidance states.

The regulator also suggested checking if charities providing relief to humanitarian crises are members of the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID).

The ACNC said ACFID members:

• work with organisations who disburse funds in responsible, effective, and transparent ways
• are signatories to a code of conduct, and
• comply with transparency and accountability requirements during emergency appeals.

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has also advised donors to give money only to reputable organisations.

The battle for hearts and minds

With so many foreign crises vying for the attention of Australians distracted by domestic issues such as the cost-of-living crisis and recent Voice referendum debate, it can be difficult to cut through the noise.

Care Australia paid tribute to Australians’ generosity when it comes to overseas aid and empathy for those negatively affected by events overseas but acknowledged it could be difficult gain attention.

“In just the past few weeks, ourselves and other NGOs such as Save the Children and World Vision have called attention to rolling crisis around the world, from earthquakes in Morocco and Afghanistan to the events in Gaza,” he said.

“Australians are giving more and more when the cost-of-living makes things increasingly challenging.

“We (NGOs) still have an important role to play in highlighting humanitarian suffering and to paint an accurate picture of what is happening on the ground.”

The spokesperson said the key to reaching the hearts and minds of Australians when it comes to raising awareness of tragic events beyond our shores was to tell the human stories of those most affected.

“Over the past few weeks, we have been reeling from one crisis to the next and while statistics are important, it's really the human stories that cut through and resonate,” he said.

“Our close proximity to communities, to families on the ground, gives us that unique insight when a crisis hits and enables us to convey a unique humanitarian narrative, which is key to maintaining that conversation with the Australian public.”