Indo-Pacific Response Flexible Fund
Above: The Bougainville Atolls drought response in Pinapel in Nissan District which was funded under a precursor to the IPRFF, the AHP El Niño Response Fund. Photo: Benson Wanguare, CARE International PNG
In July 2025, the Australian Government announced AUD 10 million in additional funding to support disaster response in the Indo-Pacific. Through the Australian Red Cross and the Australian Humanitarian Partnership (AHP), AUD 6 million of this funding is being directed to local NGOs and Red Cross National Societies to access rapid support for disaster response and recovery.
The AUD 4 million AHP Indo-Pacific Response Flexible Fund (IPRFF) will support rapid response to sudden onset disasters in the region, as well as targeted responses to local level emergencies or crises. Building on the lessons of past flexible funding mechanisms through AHP which sped up the release of humanitarian funds to trusted partners, the IPRFF will support localised, efficient and targeted response to new and emerging crises.
Current AHP activations under the IPRFF
Atensaun Proteina in Timor-Leste — AUD 1.5 million — July 2025 to May 2026
Through CARE Australia, the Atensaun Proteina response (AUD 1.5 million) will support the continuation of school feeding programs in Oecusse and Ermera, which were at risk due to the sudden withdrawal of US Agency for International Development (USAID) funding. The highly vulnerable children accessing the program would be at risk of malnutrition and protein deficiency without immediate support from the fund, which will enable the program to mitigate the short-term impacts of malnutrition while working on sustainable interventions.
Philippines flood response — AUD 250,000 — August to November 2025
The combined impact of several tropical storms led to widespread heavy to torrential rainfall, significant flooding and dam releases across Luzon and parts of Visayas in August 2025. Through CARE Australia and CARE Philippines, the IPRFF response will meet basic needs of affected populations; provide water, sanitation and hygiene support through the provision of emergency hygiene kits; and support resilience through psychosocial first aid.
Pakistan flood response — AUD 350,000 — September 2025 to January 2026
Through Save the Children Australia and local partner Sarhad Rural Support Program, this IPRFF response will support those affected by flooding in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province. The highly localised response will support the deployment of mobile health clinics, Child Friendly Spaces, psychosocial support, and non-food items such as hygiene supplies to those affected by the disaster.