Australia will redirect 280 million Australian dollars in foreign aid this year to help neighboring countries strengthen their response to the coronavirus epidemic. Canberra warned that stability in the Indian Pacific is threatened. Australian International Development and Pacific Minister Alex Hawke said Pacific island countries, East Timor and Indonesia will be the focus of the coronavirus assistance strategy. An Australian government reported that the Pacific island countries that closed the border contained the first wave of the Covid-19 epidemic, but with the closure of the tourism industry and the collapse of government revenues, foreign exchange reserves and cash balances, these countries are suffering economic damage. Australia provides direct financial assistance to the Pacific Island governments to fund their necessary services.
“For decades, it has supported the development of Australia’s prosperous and stable Indo-Pacific region, and openness and stability are facing threats.” Foreign Minister Payne said in the report. Australia ’s annual foreign aid budget is A $ 4 billion. The coronavirus assistance strategy will focus on health protection in Australia ’s neighbouring countries, social stability and stimulate economic recovery. “How our neighbors get out of the crisis will determine Australia’s economic and strategic environment in the coming decades.” Payne said. The Australian government provided 2.6 million sets of personal protective equipment to Pacific Island countries. Australia will help Pacific Island countries to set up quarantine centers and coronavirus contact tracking projects. These means are seen as a key step in joining Australia and New Zealand to restart the “travel bubble” in tourism.
