Kevin Rudd announced a dollar-for-dollar ‘donation matching’ program with the Government set to join Australians fighting the famine disaster in Eastern Africa

With the UN estimating 750,000 people could die in the Horn of Africa in the next four months, the Federal Government is joining forces with caring Australians in a bid to save lives. The Government has promised to match every tax-deductible donation Australians give to aid efforts in the drought-stricken Horn of Africa.

Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd announced that donations to AusAID-accredited humanitarian organisations will be matched until 30 November 2011.

"We set no limits.  However much they raise, we're serious about it: We'll match it dollar for dollar," he said.

"I call on all Australians, from individuals to businesses, to donate whatever they can spare during October and November to help us save more lives."

Reverend Tim Costello of World Vision has spoken out about the crisis, pointing out that we tend to donate generously to sudden disasters like floods and tsunamis, while slow-building disasters like Africa’s horrible famine can go relatively unnoticed by caring people.

Remember that your donations to these organisations are tax-deductible.  With the Government doubling the impact your donation has on-the-ground, this is a key moment for us all to dig deep and support an extremely important cause.

The Australian Government will match each dollar you give to the following charities:

Act for Peace
ADRA Australia
Anglican Board of Mission Australia
Anglicord
Australian Lutheran World Service
Australian Red Cross
Baptist World Aid
CARE Australia
Caritas Australia
CBM Australia
ChildFund Australia
Oxfam Australia
Plan International Australia
Save the Children Australia
TEAR Australia
UnitingWorld
World Vision Australia