In the Sydney Morning Herald/AAP this morning:

Australia has committed another $4 million in aid for the looming humanitarian crisis in Syria. The Foreign Affairs Minister, Bob Carr, made the announcement from the Za’atri refugee camp in Jordan on the Syrian border, saying the new funds had taken Australia’s total contribution to Syria to $20.5 million. This makes Australia the fourth-largest national contributor to the refugee crisis. ”This is a humanitarian disaster,” Senator Carr said. ”Australia has taken a lead in calling for a unified international response to end the bloodshed. ”We’re also helping with medical supplies, food and shelter.” The additional funds will provide food and shelter in the newly constructed refugee camps, as well as basic health checks and medical care.

Of course, some Islamaphobic, right-wing Zionists think this all part of an ALP conspiracy to undermine Israel. Or something like that. This protects civilians and helps create a slightly more tolerable situation for refugees and nothing more. Australia is — rightly — doing its part. And I hope it continues to do so.