CARE Australia is saddened by the sudden passing of Malcolm Fraser, AC, CH Founding Chair of CARE Australia and Chair from 1987-2001.

CARE Australia CEO Dr Julia Newton-Howes said Mr Fraser was a passionate humanitarian and a fearless defender of human rights.

‘Mr Fraser had passionate concern for the devastation of humanitarian emergencies on people’s lives and the injustice of poverty around the world,’ said Dr Julia Newton-Howes.

‘He will be remembered as a compassionate Australian, who deeply cared for Australia and for people living in poverty and crisis around the world.’

Dr Newton-Howes said that as founding Chair of CARE Australia, Mr Fraser helped Australians contribute to the challenge of realising a world where poverty has been overcome and people live in dignity and security.

‘Mr Fraser chaired CARE Australia’s response to some of the world’s worst humanitarian emergencies including the Iraq war, Somalia famine, Bosnian war and Rwanda genocide. He had a hands-on approach and selflessly placed himself in the midst of major crises to see and understand the ordeal people were experiencing and to support staff in their relief efforts.

‘Mr Fraser was instrumental in mobilising the international community to respond to humanitarian crises such as the Rwanda crisis in 1994. He discussed the unfolding genocide with Nelson Mandela and other African leaders at Mandela’s inauguration as president and challenged the African leaders to intervene and stop the blood-shed.

‘CARE Australia staff have enormous respect for Mr Fraser, and his legacy lives on today as we help communities affected by the devastating Cyclone Pam in Vanuatu,’ said Dr Julia Newton-Howes.

Chair of CARE Australia Colin Galbraith commented that, ‘In the last 25 years, significant progress has been made in eradicating extreme poverty.  This work continues.  Mr Fraser will be remembered by all at CARE Australia as a passionate humanitarian and a fearless defender of human rights, who deeply cared for Australia and for people living in poverty and crisis around the world.’

In 1987 Malcolm Fraser formed CARE Australia as part of the international CARE network of humanitarian aid organisations. He was chairman from 1987 until 2001, when Sir William Deane succeeded him.

Malcolm Fraser was also President of CARE International from 1991 to 1995, and its Vice-President for the next four years.