The USAID stop-work order shockingly halted nearly all critical humanitarian aid programs globally, while the Netherlands slashed 30% of its budget, Belgium cut aid by 25% and France reduced its budget by 37%. The UK recently followed suit, obliterating their foreign aid budget by 40% in order to increase defence spending.
For some of the partners Act for Peace works alongside, the ongoing cuts have catastrophic consequences, both for their organisations and their communities – providing lifesaving support and programs for some of the world’s most at-risk people: refugees and people who are displaced – individuals and families in crisis who have no option but to rely on aid for survival. These funding reductions represent immediate threats to lives, dignity and decades of humanitarian progress.
Our partner in Indonesia shares the devastating impact it is having on their humanitarian programs.
Indonesia partner hit hard
In Indonesia we work alongside local organisation Yayasan Cita Wadah Swadaya (YCWS) to deliver disaster resilience programs to protect communities from climate-induced displacement. But they are facing significant challenges in the aftermath of government aid cuts and are already experiencing severe consequences both in their organisation and the refugee communities and vulnerable populations they support in Indonesia.
According to YCWS Executive Director, Dino Satria, they have had to halt cash assistance programs for approximately 600 refugees in Jakarta.
safety in exile
“Many of our programs provide cash assistance for refugees, and now they don’t receive any more cash,” says Dino.
“This affects their lives and their livelihoods. Refugees cannot work. So the only thing that they can rely on is this assistance.”
~ Dino Satria, YCWS Executive Director
And if this lifeline is cut off, these refugees, who are mainly vulnerable populations from Afghanistan and Somalia, face increasing uncertainty.
Refugees caught in the political crossfire
“The refugees are very anxious, very worried about their lives. They’ve already been worried about their future, staying here in Indonesia and trying to survive,” says Dino. “A lot of refugees ask us, ‘How can you support more? What’s next? What happens after June?’”
YCWS have had to shut down education programs for youth, suspend youth programs for unaccompanied refugee children, cut staff and halt recruitment. They can only sustain funding until June and after that, the future is unclear. They have no certainty to provide the refugees who are worried about where they will get their next meal.
YCWS is urging continued financial and advocacy support to sustain critical services for refugees and vulnerable communities.
“More and more people in the world are being affected by conflict, disaster and climate change,” says Dino. “The most affected are vulnerable communities—women-headed households, mothers, and children. We need to support them as much as we can.”
“Many of the world’s leaders are not being thoughtful in their policies and actions, and it is affecting many, many people around the world.”
~ Dino Satria, YCWS Executive Director
Retaining hope for locally-led programs
While it would be easy to lose hope, YCWS continues to actively seek new funding sources and continue their advocacy efforts, especially for disaster risk reduction and climate-resilience in flood-prone communities. Their local, community-led programs remain a priority, ensuring that displaced and vulnerable populations build resilience and self-sufficiency despite funding challenges.
YCWS remains committed to finding solutions, providing hope, and ensuring that vulnerable communities receive the support they need. Act for Peace is committed to working in partnership with YCWS and hopes our aid appeal will provide much-needed financial support to help bridge the gap in these hugely challenging times.
YCWS urges Australian supporters to continue their partnership, emphasising the importance of financial donations and advocacy for international aid. Faith-based supporters are also encouraged to pray for refugees, affected families, and communities impacted by climate change.
Join us in acting for peace today.
How you can help
Advocate
Join us in advocating for our government to do more for people who need our help the most. Write to you MP voicing your support for Australian Aid (by clicking Advocate button below).
Spread the word to your friends and community and get them to do the same.
Give
Support our local partners to continue providing life saving humanitarian programs by making a donation.
Your gifts will provide them with vital support to continue providing humanitarian programs.
Pray
Please pray for a return of empathy for humankind. Pray for the communities affected by aid cuts and for the humanitarian workers who have lost their jobs.
Pray for the future of humanitarian programs and for sustainable funding.
