“When a refugee crisis strikes, UNHCR is there. Working against the clock, the Emergency Response Team rushes life-saving help to people who have lost everything. By supporting them, we can make sure that help gets to the people who need it the most. The UNHCR Emergency Response Team needs your support.” - Angelina Jolie, UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador.
About the Emergency Response Team
The Emergency Response Team (ERTeam) is a dedicated, highly trained group of UNHCR staff who provide a fast and effective response to any crisis, anywhere in the world. The team works in the toughest conditions, delivering life-saving essentials like food, water, shelter and healthcare.
When people have fled their homes and are destitute and hungry they need help – fast. Within 72 hours, or even sooner, our planes are loaded with vital supplies from one of our many warehouses and the ERTeam are flown in with expertise that can save countless lives.
The ERTeam is made up of two groups:
- a small core group of full-time permanent staff
- a larger group of staff volunteers – our unique Emergency Roster – often the first on the ground in any humanitarian emergency.
About UNHCR
UNHCR, the United Nations refugee agency, provides and coordinates international relief for refugees and displaced people, offering them protection and assistance at every stage of their ordeal.
As well as providing emergency shelter, food, water and medical care, UNHCR strives to improve refugees’ quality of life and future opportunities, providing infrastructure, schools and income generating projects in established refugee camps and communities.
There are currently more than 42 million people in116 countries – 80% of whom are women and children – who have been forced to leave their homes and communities because of conflict, disaster or persecution.
UNHCR’s humanitarian work has been recognised with two Nobel peace prizes.
For more information visit the website of our Headquarters in Geneva.
About Australia for UNHCR
Only 3% of UNHCR’s funding comes from the UN which means the agency must seek the remaining 97% from governments, corporations and individual donors.
Australia for UNHCR was established in 2000 as part of UNHCR’s global fundraising network, and has since raised more than $15 million from a broad network of 20,000 financial supporters and community and corporate partners.
We are an Australian-based charity governed by an Australian board of Directors drawn from the business and legal community, chaired by Corrs Chambers Westgarth CEO John Denton.
Australia for UNHCR has tax-deductible Gift Recipient Status and is endorsed by the ATO as an Income Tax Exempt Charity.
The National Director is Naomi Steer, and our Patron is the Governor General of Australia Ms Quentin Bryce AM.
Annual Report
Click the links below to download a PDF copy of our Annual Reports.
If you would like to receive a copy of the full Financial Report for the year ended 31 December 2009, please call 1300 361 288 or email info@australiaforunhcr.org.au
