CANBERRA — A deep dive into International Aid Transparency Initiative data published by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade shows how the Australian aid program is shifting programs to the COVID-19 response — which includes changing the the sectoral focus of existing programs.
Previously, DFAT has stated that funds for COVID-19 programs are not new and have come from canceled or adjusted programming. The IATI data, extracted on July 19 and covering commitments and disbursements classified as development assistance until Dec. 31, details 40 coronavirus-related disbursements for 28 programs valued at 173.2 million Australian dollars ($123.6 million) made between Jan. 1 and June 30. This provides transparency on 62% of the AU$280 million that DFAT said has been diverted to the pandemic response.