DFAT has launched its new policy aimed at enhancing Australia’s humanitarian engagement across three key priorities: building readiness and preparedness, responding to crises effectively, and reinforcing the international humanitarian system. The policy is a critical step forward, and we are eager to see how DFAT can set a new global standard for humanitarian leadership. This is a moment to not only refine Australia’s approach but also to push the boundaries of what humanitarian action can achieve. Whilst the principles of the policy aim to advocate, advance, affirm, abide, address and be accountable – we want to add a seventh, ambition.
In looking at the priority areas DFAT has defined, we have some ideas about what ambition could look like in reality.
Priority 1: Build Readiness and Preparedness
DFAT’s focus on readiness and preparedness is a welcome step, particularly as crises are becoming more frequent and complex. Australia can go beyond enhancing existing systems and be at the forefront of anticipatory action efforts. Continuing to foster effective mechanisms that act in anticipation of a crisis is critical, reducing impacts, resilience and empowerment of communities in the face of impending crises.
Leaning into technology can enhance the ability to predict and pre-empt crises and involves not only relying on traditional early warning systems but investing in cutting-edge technologies like predictive analytics, artificial intelligence, and real-time data. By leading in this area, DFAT can ensure that humanitarian responses are faster, more effective, and prevent larger crises before they escalate.
Preparedness is not just about having a plan—it’s about empowering the people on the ground and listening to communities. Australia should prioritise the sharing of knowledge, resources, and decision-making authority to local actors. Instead of seeing local actors as partners, they should be viewed as leaders in their own right, and leaders from whom we can learn.
Priority 2: Respond to Crises and Disasters Effectively
The evolving nature of crises demands more adaptive, flexible responses that are not constrained by traditional models.
Fast and flexible funding is key. Speed is of the essence in humanitarian response, but bureaucratic delays often hamper action. Australia should pioneer fast, flexible funding mechanisms that allow rapid deployment of resources without cumbersome approval processes. This might include contingency funds specifically designed to be released immediately after the onset of a crisis, and new, leaner coordination structures that prioritise rapid mobilisation.
A shift towards a civilian-centred humanitarian response is essential in the types of crises we see today. Beyond protecting civilians, DFAT should focus on empowering affected communities to actively shape and hold to account the humanitarian interventions they receive. This approach not only respects the agency of those affected but also ensures that responses are culturally appropriate, effective, and locally driven.
We all know that the climate crisis is here and now; striving for greener humanitarian action can’t be an ambition for the future – even yesterday is too late. Further scaling, supporting and promoting more environmentally friendly humanitarian action in the Indo-Pacific is a shared responsibility, and one that DFAT has the opportunity to show regional leadership on immediately.
Priority 3: Reinforce the International Humanitarian System and Champion Reform
DFAT’s recognition of the need to support and reform the international humanitarian system is timely, and real leadership means being bold in driving system-wide change.
Australia’s ability to be bold and lead has been showcased on the global level recently, with critical leadership on the declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel seeking to afford much needed protection to humanitarian workers. This leadership is timely, relevant and the tip of the iceberg of what could a seismic shift for Australia’s leadership in the humanitarian sector, if coupled with the right implementation.
Similarly, we believe DFAT has an opportunity to reinvigorate the localisation conversations at the global level. While many humanitarian actors acknowledge the importance of locally led humanitarian response, DFAT should push for more transformative global reforms. This means advocating for a redistribution of power and resources to local and national actors on the global stage. Australia can be a strong advocate in international forums, pressing for tangible commitments, demonstrated impact on communities and reduced impact on the climate that go beyond rhetoric and result in significant shifts towards local leadership in humanitarian settings.
The new policy has a heavy focus on risk. Whilst in the current global climate, risk-sensitive approaches are critical to mitigating and reducing harm, there are also opportunities for DFAT to be forward leaning in more nuanced approaches to risk. There has been ongoing calls for donor-led risk approaches that are more equitable for local and national-actors, prioritising risk sharing rather than risk transfer. If risk management continues to stifle action, a truly equitable and localised humanitarian system will not progress. It is important that communities affected by humanitarian crises remain at the centre of what guides our ambitions and actions – and isn’t replaced by overly risk adverse and bureaucratic inertia.
Accountability and inclusion need to move beyond compliance. Humanitarian reform should also focus on accountability and inclusion. DFAT should champion reforms that prioritise gender equality, disability inclusion, and the representation of marginalised groups within the humanitarian system. This is not just about making aid more inclusive but ensuring that the voices of those most affected by crises shape and hold to account the very structures designed to serve them.
DFAT’s new policy lays the groundwork for stronger humanitarian action, which is needed more than ever. Let’s push further. Now is the time for Australia to move beyond incremental improvements and take bold steps toward a more responsive, inclusive, and effective humanitarian system, which needs to be grounded in robust evidence of what works, why, and critically…for who? What we have in this policy is a solid start; what we need now, is the ambition to lead.
