Warning of an ‘apocalypse’ in international aid
The disturbing and worsening problems of international aid were at the centre of a forum held in Canberra last month
April 7, 2026
The global crisis in international aid has reached unprecedented levels, with Uniting Church Assembly General Secretary Andrew Johnson warning it now resembles an ‘apocalypse’ rather than a temporary downturn.
Speaking at The Crisis in International Aid Forum in Canberra last month, Mr Johnson said the scale and severity of the situation demands urgent attention.
Members of the Uniting Church joined activists and members of the public at Woden Valley Uniting Church, as well as online, to explore the growing challenges facing international aid. Representatives from organisations including Medical Association for the Prevention of War and Palestine Israel Ecumenical Network contributed to the conversation.
The forum featured a panel of speakers offering diverse perspectives on the crisis. Erica Henley, chairperson of Operation Hope, shared firsthand insights from delivering aid in regions such as Iraq and Gaza, highlighting the human impact of shrinking resources.
Mr Johnson outlined the broader context, pointing to declining government funding and the challenges facing major international aid organisations. Later, Len Baglow, facilitator of Against the Wind, drew on post-colonial perspectives to encourage new ways of imagining aid and global partnership.
Participants engaged in table and online discussions following the presentations, before a question-and-answer session with the speakers.
The forum was organised by Against the Wind, a group focused on issues receiving limited government attention or public advocacy.
The gathering highlighted both the urgency of the current crisis and the importance of continued reflection, advocacy and community action.
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