In 2020-2021, Australia will make contributions to the official development assistance (ODA) in the amount of K3.5 billion ($1.44 billion). The Australian High Commission said that this is an increase from $1,381.4 billion (approximately $1.4 billion) in 2019-20, adding that Australia will provide the same levels of ODA compared to the previous year.
According to the Commission, the funding will go to the Australian projects such as strengthening health security, laying economic foundations and ensuring stability
Plus, the Australian government has also established the Pacific Covid-19 Recovery Fund that helps the Pacific and Timor-Leste to bring funding to the most critical areas. The fund will build on existing bilateral partnerships, investment, and implementing initiatives by the PacificStep-Up. In addition, the Australian government claims that this fund - $23.2 million over three years - will go to make sure that the vaccine is available to all when the vaccines become available. This support may include all support and building to develop policies of immunisation and roll-out of the vaccines when available.
This is also on top of the $80 million contributions to the Gavi COVAX Facility Advance Market Commitment as the Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne has declared.
