Funding for life-saving aid, not weapons, needed in Yemen

Save the Children Australia has criticised the Australian Government’s funding priorities following a High-Level Pledging Event for the Humanitarian Crisis in Yemen.

This week, Australia failed to pledge a single dollar for life-saving aid in Yemen, despite the suffering of 17 million people after almost 7 years of conflict.

The leading humanitarian agency said the lack of aid for the war-torn nation from Australia was particularly concerning when the Government continue to allow Australian-made, taxpayer-subsidised weapons to be exported to key combatants in the war.

Over the next 10 years the Australian Government plans to distribute $70 billion through various grants, incentives and funding pools to grow Australia’s defence industry. Just last year, the Government gave six companies $1.2 million to boost their defence export capacity.

Save the Children’s Director of International Programs, Archie Law said Australia’s failure to contribute to the aid effort, while continuing to allow weapons exports to countries accused of committing war crimes in Yemen, was disturbing.

“Yemen may not be on our television screens every night, but the situation for children is no less desperate,” said Mr Law.

“We understand there is unprecedented need around the world and choices have to be made but looking at how much Australia is spending on subsidising weapons manufacturing it just doesn’t seem right.”