ICRW’s Brian Heilman takes us on a short trip to Fiji and Vanuatu, giving us a wonderful glimpse into ICRW’s recent project focusing on reviewing the effectiveness of AusAID-funded initiatives to end violence against women. Watch the Video.

On World Malaria Day 2013, 25 April, we reflect on the progress Australia and our partners have made to combat malaria in our region whilst recognising the challenges that remain.

The Asia–Pacific has made impressive progress in the fight against malaria. Between 2000 and 2010 there was an estimated 25 per cent decrease in the number of malaria cases and an even bigger decrease in the number of deaths.

1. Thailand - On 22 March, a fire sparked by a domestic accident broke out in Ban Mae Surin refugee camp in Mae Hong Son province, northwestern Thailand. 30 refugees from Myanmar were killed and four were seriously injured. Relief efforts are being coordinated by the Government of Thailand, as well as provincial and camp authorities. UNHCR, IRC and other NGOs are providing assistance.
   Source: OCHA

1 . China - A 5.2M earthquake has struch Yunnan province of China. According to media reports, 30 were injured, 700 homes collapsed and 2,500 homes were damaged.

Source: GDACS, PDC, Media

2 . Thailand - Flooding has killed 1 and affected over 7,800 in Narathiwat province. A request for international assistance is very unlikely.

Source: DMPD, Media

The Pacific Humanitarian Team (PHT) is a partnership of all agencies and organizations that have a mandate to respond to natural disasters in the Pacific Island region, and that agree to coordinate international humanitarian action according to a cluster or sector approach. It was established in July 2008 by humanitarian stakeholders at the Regional Inter-Agency Contingency Planning Workshop for Humanitarian Assistance in the Pacific to deliver timely, effective and coordinated international response to natural disasters in 14 Pacific Island Countries (PICs).

The World Bank and the Government launched two programs to address climate change and disaster risk management, to benefit more than 10,000 farmers, over 100 rural communities as well as the 57,000 residents of Port Vila and Luganville.

Release of the 2011-12 Annual Review of Aid Effectiveness

The inaugural Annual Review of Aid Effectiveness was released today by Foreign Minister Bob Carr. This new and important document is part of a suite of reforms flowing from the 2011 Independent Review of Aid Effectiveness. Its purpose is to inform Cabinet discussion of the four-year budget strategy outlined in the Comprehensive Aid Policy Framework and report on the aid program’s performance against the Framework.

NATURAL DISASTERS IN 2012

After an intense year of natural disasters in 2011, countries in the Asia-Pacific region welcomed a reduction in the number of events in 2012. OCHA and the Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters recorded 93 natural disaster events in 2012, in which over 3,200 people were killed and more than 75 million people were affected. China and the Philippines experienced the most disasters in 2012.

Link: Disaster Risk Reduction – East Asia and The Pacific Fact Sheet #1, Fiscal Year (FY) 2012