Emergency Relief

During times of natural or humanitarian disasters impacting their country, our overseas partners or the Society’s Council General Internationals Commission for International Aid and Development (CIAD) may ask the National Council of Australia for assistance by either directly supporting a request from one of its overseas partner’s or by contributing to a joint response by multiple Vincentian partners. 

Previous emergency relief requests funded by the St Vincent de Paul Society in Australia have included emergency relief in Tonga after the volcanic eruption and humanitarian relief in Thailand for Pakistani refugees. 

“The relationship with New Zealand and Australia, we developed a close rapport with them. You know there is somebody that you rely on, they can help you instantly ... so you always have that comfort that people will help you. And I think that equal relationship is very, very important.” 

- Sakapo Lolohea, National President, Tonga (2023) 

When an emergency relief request is received, Australia’s National Council’s Overseas Partnerships Advisory Committee will determine if support is appropriate, and work with the Society to help according to National Council guidelines. 

Each year an agreed amount for Emergency Relief is included in the OPP budget. These funds are available for immediate allocation on receipt of an approved Emergency Relief Application from our overseas partner countries. Any funds not allocated will be returned to the Council General International’s CIAD for use as needed for Emergency Relief globally.  

CIAD considers requests for funding for SSVP projects throughout the world, with areas of operation including humanitarian aid in emergency situations (natural disasters, violent conflict, etc.), strengthening and expanding the Society and setting up projects for development and systemic change.