Armed conflicts and natural or technological disasters can unleash humanitarian crises in a short time and endanger the life of thousands of people. Especially in crisis, government agencies and local civil society often lack the capabilities to ensure the survival of the people affected. This is where international solidarity is needed: Countries with sufficient resources can be called on to lend support.

Austria has a record of helping people in humanitarian crises. Large campaigns were run to collect donations for the population of Southeast Asia affected by the tsunami or for the inhabitants of Haiti after the earthquake, for example. The Austrian government also provides humanitarian aid through Austrian Development Cooperation (ADC), however. In both protracted crises and in acute disasters, Austria carries out measures to protect human life. Special account is taken of vulnerable sections of the population, such as women, children, sick persons, people with disabilities, refugees, displaced persons and the homeless. 

Preventing disasters

To avert disasters in the first place, Austrian Development Cooperation invests in preventive measures. Active interventions aim to mitigate risk factors and keep the damage caused by a disaster to a minimum. These measures include early warning systems and building precautions to safeguard against natural disasters but also poverty reduction and democratisation.

Humanitarian aid in the event of a disaster

Humanitarian measures during and after an humanitarian crisis aim to protect the life of the people affected and ease their suffering. This includes providing basic supplies of drinking water and food, shelter and medical care and protecting and assisting refugees and homeless persons.

Return to everyday life

Reconstruction and rehabilitation measures aim at enabling people to return quickly to humane conditions of life after humanitarian crises. After natural disasters such as the earthquake in Haiti or the floods in Pakistan in 2010, Austria helped in reconstructing the destroyed houses, rehabilitating the water supply lines and in income generating activities designed at helping people regain their livelihoods.

National and international cooperation

ADC cooperates closely with relief organisations in preventing and coping with humanitarian crises. Austria provides both international and national organisations with funds for implementing related programmes and projects that are agreed on with the international donor community.