Category: DAA Stories

Stories about how Disaster Aid Australia operates

SAFE WATER, AND AIMING FOR NET ZERO

by Brian Ashworth, posted in DAA Stories, Safe Water for Every Child

This week Nations are meeting in Glasgow to discuss action on ‘Climate Change’.

Thats fine for first world countries, with technology changes they can preserve their current living standards while reducing their reliance on fossil fuels.

It’s Different for Developing Countries

Simply restricting their use of fossil fuels could mean their living conditions will never improve.

With 80% of illness in the developing world being related to contaminated water, safe drinking water is a key issue in improving living standards.

DAA’s Help

Our Safe Water for Every Child project is a solution that improves health in developing countries without increasing the use of fossil fuels.

The SkyHydrants we use have been able to deliver safe drinking water to well over 100,000 in the last few years without the use of electrical power.

This has been recognised by the Energy Globe Foundation, who recognise the worlds major sustainability champions.

If you would like to help Disaster Aid Australia continue to provide sustainable safe water in developing countries with zero emission; click on the link below;

DONATE

Charity donations of $2 or more to Disaster Aid Australia are tax-deductible in Australia.

WASH MYTHS 3 – FOREIGN AID MEANS CASH

by Brian Ashworth, posted in DAA Stories, WASH

Australia is budgeting to provide $4.335 billion in Foreign Aid in 2020-21.

Judging by some of the comments we see on facebook there are lots of people who think that the Australian Goverment provides this aid in the form of cash.

They also belive that foreign government can choose to spend aid money how they like.

Below is some real information about Australia’s foreign aid.

Some Facts

Here is some information that busts the cash Myth and some other foreign aid myths

The Australian Gov’t decides how the most aid is spent.

The Australian Government provides aid through defined programs.

It also provides grants to chosen in-country organisations and Australian organisations.

The expenditure is monitored by Embassy Staff.

A large amount of aid money never leaves Australia

A considerable amount of the aid budget involves providing Australian good and services to foreign governments.

Examples include;

  • COVID Vaccines, such as doses of Astra Zenica manufactured in Australia, but not taken up in Australia;
  • Naval Patrol boats, manufactured in Australia, but used by foreign goerments to control people smuggling;
  • Consultancy services, such as engineering and financial management, by Australian companies.
There are many countries which are far more generous than Australia

The standard way of measuring aid generosity is as a percentage of Gross National Income (GNI)

The 2020-2021 aid budget is 0.21% of the GNI; with an average of developed countries being 0.31%.

Here are a few of the countries that are ahead of us, with their aid as a proportion of GNI; Austria (0.29), Britain (0.7) Germany (0.73), Japan (0.31) (New Zealand (0.27)

Disaster Aid Australia has never received any Development Aid Funds

Although DAA’s Supporters receive tax relief on their donations Disaster Aid AUstralia has never received and financial support from the Australian Aid Budget.

We are only able to deliver aid through the generosity of our supporters.

If you would like to help Disaster Aid Australia continue to deliver Aid in developing countries then click on the link below;

DONATE

Charity donations of $2 or more to Disaster Aid Australia are tax-deductible in Australia.

100% Aid Delivered In 2020-2021

by Brian Ashworth, posted in DAA Stories

In the financial year, which has just closed, Disaster Aid Australia delivered $240,661 in international aid to developing countries.

This was slightly over our annual income for the year of $239,144 (which was down approximately 30% from our pre COVID income).

The result is due to the DAA Board deciding in June 2020 that the COVID 19 Pandemic was a ‘Disaster‘ and many of the developing countries, which we help, would be hit harder than Australia.

Accordingly a considerable portion of the financial reserves that enable us to respond to disasters has been used over the past 12 months.

This 3 minute video shows photographs of the many aid projects we have assisted in the last 12 months.

With the pandemic travel restrictions we have only been able to deliver this aid due to the strong partnerships we have built up since DAA was founded in 2010.

Our Philippine partner Balay Mindanaw was also able to build links with the following Rotary Clubs during the Typhoon Goni response: RC of Pasig, RC of Legaspi North, and RC of West Cagayan de Oro.

We also wish to thank: Rotary Clubs, individuals, and companies around Australia for their continuing support of DAA in what has been a difficult year.

If you would like to help Disaster Aid Australia in 2021-2022 continue to help developing countries with ‘Smart Aid’ and ‘Safe Water for Every Child’ projects click on the link below;

DONATE

Charity donations of $2 or more to Disaster Aid Australia are tax-deductible in Australia.

Thanks To Rotary Clubs

by Brian Ashworth, posted in DAA Stories

Disaster Aid Australia is only able to continue delivering aid thanks to the dedication of Rotarians around Australia.

To show the effort that many clubs go to raise funds we are featuring the Rotary Club of Dromana

The Club, located on the Mornington Peninsua in Victoria, runs a monthly community market.

Every month their stand features DAA and our SkyHydrant Projects.

Dromana is just one of many clubs that help us by seeking donations, and/or providing a grant from their fundraising activities.

Our founding Rotary Club of Greater Dandenong and Endeavour Hills pays our office rent, which means that more money from outside donations can go to aid

Next time you contribute to a fundraiser, or buy a sausage at Bunnings you might be helping DAA deliver Safe Water for Every Child or SmartAid following a disaster, or the COVID pandemic.

If you would like to help Disaster Aid Australia directly click on the link below;

DONATE

Charity donations of $2 or more to Disaster Aid Australia are tax-deductible in Australia.