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 demand 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 the Medical Association for the Prevention of War and the 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 increasing pressures on major international aid organisations. Last year, the United States closed USAID and cut its foreign aid budget by more than 80%. Other major donors followed suit, with Germany reducing aid by 50%, the UK by 40%, and France by 37% – all redirecting funds towards record defence spending.
Australia’s international aid budget was spared from cuts last year, thanks in no small part to advocacy from faithful Christians and church organisations, including our own UnitingWorld, who continue to affirm that aid is not discretionary spending, but an extension of our shared values.
In the forum’s final session, 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 joining a question-and-answer session with the speakers.
The forum was organised by Against the Wind, a group focused on issues that receive limited government attention or public advocacy.
This gathering again highlighted both the urgency of the current crisis and the importance of continued reflection, advocacy and community action. We encourage you to add your voice in support of Australian aid through the Safer World For All campaign.
There is still much work to be done. Australia’s foreign aid remains at a historic low of just 0.5% of the Federal Budget, well below what is needed to meet global humanitarian and development needs. Continued advocacy is vital in urging the Australian Government to restore aid to 1% of the Budget, a modest step that could have a significant global impact.
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