Frequently asked questions
What does CAN DO stand for?
Church Agencies Network – Disaster Operations
What is CAN DO?
CAN DO is a consortium of nine Australian aid agencies formed to better coordinate and strengthen their global humanitarian disaster response, risk reduction and resilience building work. It was established because we realised that together our geographic footprint, scope and impact is larger and deeper than working individually.
The Church Agencies Network (CAN) was established in 2004 as an informal network of 12 Australian church-based aid agencies. CAN DO was established in 2015 with the specific purpose of providing disaster response, risk reduction and resilience building support predominately through the AHP. Members are fully accredited with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and are signatories to the Australian Council for International Development’s Code of Conduct.
When was CAN DO established?
The concept of CAN DO began in 2015 as the re-tendering process for what is now called DFAT’s Australian Humanitarian Partnership (AHP) was underway. In 2017, CAN DO was selected as a partner, after which an MOU was signed by all members.
What are the unique strengths of CAN DO?
CAN DO church partners are often the first responders to disasters because they are already in communities. Churches are in communities before aid agencies arrive and remain well after they’ve left. The combined network of nine churches is extensive, the power of the church lies in its reach and relationships as part of communities. Churches are influential messengers across society, quickly and powerfully advocating to communities and addressing misinformation. Programs and responses are always locally-led, culturally sensitive and built on experience.
Where does CAN DO work?
CAN DO’s work is not limited to a specific region. However, most programs take place in the Indo-Pacfic and Asia region, in keeping with the Australian Government’s Humanitarian Policy.
Does CAN DO only help Christians?
Not at all. CAN DO builds strong partnerships with others to increase its impact; it focuses on the most vulnerable and at-risk communities; responds to all, regardless of creed or culture; and ensures all voices are amplified and heard.
How is CAN DO coordinated?
A Coordination Unit ensures CAN DO functions smoothly, serving as the main link with the Australian Humanitarian Partnership Support Unit (AHP SU) and DFAT. It brings members together, identifies partnership opportunities, coordinates responses, workplans and reports. The Coordination Unit comprises a Director, Operations Coordinator and Project Officer.
How is CAN DO governed?
CAN DO’s Coordination Unit is accountable to the Governance Committee, consisting of CEOs or their delegates from all CAN agencies. The Governance Committee meets in-person or online on a quarterly basis.
What’s the difference between a CAN DO ‘member’ and a CAN DO ‘partner’?
A CAN DO member is an Australian NGO. There are nine CAN DO members. A CAN DO partner is an in-country implementing agency. These are often local civil society organisations such as churches, church organisations or councils, or sub offices of a national federation or alliance.
Why does a Lead Agency exist?
Neither CAN DO itself nor the Coordination Unit are legally registered entities. As a legally registered organisation, Caritas Australia is CAN DO’s Lead Agency. Its role is to sign agreements, host the Coordination Unit, and provide technical and administrative support.
How is CAN DO funded?
The vast majority of program funding is received through the AHP; however, there have been times when CAN DO has received grants from donors outside of AHP. Members also contribute a fee towards operational costs.
What type of AHP funding is provided to CAN DO?
CAN DO receives two main funding packages. The first is called Disaster READY, a five-year fund designed to strengthen disaster preparedness and resilience in five Pacific countries: Fiji, PNG, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste and Vanuatu. Within that, CAN DO has initiated two unique programs: Theology of Disaster Risk Reduction in a Changing Climate (TDRCC) and Safe n Redi (SnR), both found on our website.
The second are ‘activations’, or calls from DFAT to respond to sudden-onset emergencies. These are one-off, timebound responses, often but not always in the Indo-Pacfic and Asia regions.
What’s the AHP?
The Australian Humanitarian Partnership is a long-term program led by DFAT in collaboration with six leading Australian NGOS: CAN DO, CARE, Oxfam, Plan, Save the Children and World Vision. The AHP funds effective, collaborative humanitarian assistance worldwide. Its main goals are to save lives, alleviate suffering, and enhance human dignity during and after humanitarian crises, such as conflicts and disasters. The AHP also focuses on building the capacity of partner countries, local organisations, and communities to prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from these events, with a significant component dedicated to disaster risk reduction and resilience-building in the Pacific region.
How is the AHP coordinated?
The Australian Humanitarian Partnership (AHP) is coordinated by a Support Unit (AHP SU) which develops and maintains operational systems and processes for the AHP mechanism, and facilitates the AHP’s activities, including disaster response, disaster preparedness, and resilience-building efforts. The AHP SU brings the six partners together on a regular basis and plays a crucial role in managing risks across the partnership. The AHP SU is a service provided by a managing contractor, Alinea.
