What we do
Emergency Action Alliance is a group of 15 leading aid organisations in Australia who use their reach and resources to save lives around the world.
Our members are experts in humanitarian aid and specialise in different areas of disaster response. Our members fund our running costs, and we allocate the money we raise in our appeals to those members responding to the emergency.
By combining their expertise, we can turn the care and passion of our supporters into a targeted response to international emergencies.
15 Charities
Leading aid organisations
One voice in a crisis
Impact & Effectiveness
Since our launch
Since opening our doors in 2021, we’ve been strengthened by an incredible community of donors, members and partners. Your support has made it possible to achieve remarkable impact together. Thank you for standing with us.
4 Emergency appeals
$13 million raised
18,000 donors
Over 300,000 people helped
When do we launch an emergency appeal?
We only launch an appeal when we know generous Australians will be able to make a difference.
We have a pre-agreed set of criteria to help ensure that we launch the right appeals at the right time. These criteria were developed after extensive consultation with the leading Australian and global experts in humanitarian response.
Our Appeal Criteria
- The overseas disaster is of such scale and urgency as to call for an international humanitarian response.
- Our members are in a position to act quickly and effectively.
- There are reasonable grounds to believe a public appeal would be successful (to ensure our appeal is efficient and effective.)
How do we use your donations?
Emergency Action only funds work by our 15 member charities, which deliver aid directly or through trusted partners to those in need.
When a disaster hits, and we launch an Appeal, member agencies that are well placed to respond submit a request for funding. The request outlines their capacity to respond, the nature of the response and the funds needed.
A peer assessment takes place and funding is allocated based on a pre-agreed calculation, and funds are rapidly deployed.
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This approach not only ensures your donation has the highest impact possible, it means that communities receive both emergency aid and long- term support to rebuild their lives after the crisis.
We operate an extremely cost-effective model, where instead of each member running their own fundraising campaigns, a single centralised appeal is run – saving time, money and precious resources that members can instead use to carry out their vital work.
Emergency Action Alliance will not deduct more than 10 per cent of money raised to cover indirect essential costs such as donation transaction costs, receipting donations, IT costs, administrating the distribution of donations to member organisations, measurement and evaluation, reporting and overheads related to the emergency. With a very low cost base funded by our members this is an efficient model for raising and distributing funds in emergencies. Any funds raised in excess of the amount required for the emergency will be added to the Emergency Appeals Reserve and distributed to responding members next time EAA runs an appeal.
How do we stay accountable?
Our commitment to collaboration, transparency and accountability means you can be assured that every dollar you give will be used immediately to save, protect and rebuild lives.
Emergency Action Alliance’s work is guided by a commitment to best practice and being accountable to both our donors and those affected by disasters.
Our high standards begin with our membership, for which we have a strict set of criteria. This ensures the Emergency Action Alliance is made up of Australia’s leading aid agencies who will put aside their individual interests to work together for a greater outcome.
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After the emergency response is concluded, a rigorous peer review process examines the work of the organisation/s against what they said they would do.
If the work carried out falls below the level indicated by that organisation, it can result in a negative weighting factor against any future distribution of funds to that member. This helps to ensure that your money is used as effectively as possible to help the people who need it most.
Emergency Action Alliance also conducts evaluations, writes stories and reports, and publishes the results of our activities, along with providing complete transparency in its annual report and financial statements.
How you can help
There are many ways to donate, fundraise and get involved.
Member Charities
Emergency Action Alliance is a group of 15 leading aid organisations in Australia who use their reach and resources to save lives around the world.
Our members are experts in humanitarian aid and specialise in different areas of disaster response. Our members fund our running costs, and we allocate the money we raise in our appeals to those members responding to the emergency.
By combining their expertise, we can turn the care and passion of our supporters into a targeted response to international emergencies.
Our members fund our running costs, and we give them back the money we raise in our appeals to carry out their vital work. EAA members are members of the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) and comply with the high standards of the ACFID Code.
Recent appeals
Frequently asked questions
What does the Emergency Action Alliance do?
Emergency Action Alliance (EAA) brings together 15 leading aid organisations in Australia to respond quickly and effectively to major international crises. Each member specialises in a different area of disaster response, and during the gravest emergencies, we launch a centralised appeal to make fundraising more efficient and impactful. By working together, we help Australians contribute with confidence, ensuring funds are directed to member organisations responding on the ground — delivering both immediate relief and long-term support to communities affected by disaster.
What is an example of a humanitarian?
A humanitarian is someone dedicated to improving human welfare, especially during times of crisis. This can include providing food, shelter, and medical aid during natural disasters, advocating for human rights, or working to alleviate poverty and suffering around the world. Humanitarians can be frontline aid workers, medical professionals, volunteers, or donors — anyone who takes action to help others in need, regardless of race, religion, or nationality.
What qualifies as a humanitarian crisis?
A humanitarian crisis occurs when a natural disaster, armed conflict, pandemic or other severe event results in widespread human suffering that demands immediate international assistance. That could be an earthquake, war, flood, famine or severe disease outbreak. Recent crises like the Myanmar Earthquake represent the urgent need for fast humanitarian intervention.
What does a humanitarian aid worker do?
Humanitarian aid workers provide essential services in emergency and crisis situations. Their responsibilities include everything from coordinating relief supplies and medical care to managing logistics and supporting long-term recovery efforts.
What is the meaning of emergency relief?
Emergency relief is immediate assistance given to communities that have been affected by a crisis or disaster. It can comprise essential resources such as food, shelter, medical aid, clean water and sanitation. Emergency relief is about preventing further loss of life and alleviating suffering, as well as stabilising the situation as rapidly as possible. You can get a better understanding of how emergency relief works by learning about our response to the Türkiye-Syria Earthquakes.
What is the process when Emergency Action Alliance launches an appeal?
Emergency Action Alliance (EAA) may launch an appeal when a large-scale disaster occurs overseas in a country or region that lacks the resources to respond effectively and there is a call for international assistance.
When such an event happens:
- This coordinated approach makes it easy for Australians to contribute to trusted, effective humanitarian responses.
- EAA contacts its member organisations to identify who is actively responding to the emergency.
- If there is strong public interest in Australia to support those affected, EAA may initiate a public appeal on behalf of its members.
What is the best way to help those affected by emergencies?
Donating money to trusted charities that can demonstrate they are responding to the emergency and will use your funds for that specific emergency. Emergency Action Alliance is well place to ensure that financial donations are directed only to our members are that are responding on the ground.
We’re often asked if we can accept physical donations such as food, clothing, or sleeping bags. While these offers are generous and well-intentioned, we unfortunately cannot accept them.
Shipping donated goods is expensive and time-consuming, and the items received may not match the actual needs of people affected by the disaster. In many cases, this creates an additional burden, as local responders must then manage or dispose of unsuitable items—adding to the challenges they’re already facing.
For these reasons, financial donations are the most effective way to help, allowing aid organisations to respond quickly and appropriately to the specific needs of each emergency.
