US$404.6 million pledged for Central Emergency Response Fund in 2014
Forty-one donors pledged US$404.6 million to the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), an increase of $21.2 million (or 5.5 percent) compared to pledges made last year during the annual high-level conference. The pledges will allow CERF to continue helping aid agencies jump-start emergency responses during natural disasters and other crises in 2014.
“CERF has grown to become one of the largest and most reliable sources of humanitarian funding,” said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. “This year alone, CERF funds have kick-started urgent humanitarian operations in Syria, Mali and the Philippines.”
Since its launch in 2006, CERF has enabled immediate life-saving help for millions of people in some 88 countries and territories. In 2013, CERF allocated more than $473 million in total, helping humanitarian organizations to provide aid in 45 countries and territories including Bangladesh, Guinea, Haiti, Marshall Islands, Myanmar, Pakistan, Somalia, and South Sudan.
Last month, two days after Typhoon Haiyan swept through the Philippines leaving over 4 million people homeless, UN Humanitarian Chief Valerie Amos allocated US$25 million to get emergency operations started.
Addressing the CERF conference from Lebanon, where over 840,000 refugees from Syria have arrived since the beginning of the conflict in 2011, Valerie Amos underlined CERF’s critical support for people in Syria and neighbouring countries. A total of $82 million was given for the Syria crisis, making this the largest allocation of CERF funding in 2013.
“CERF really does make a difference to people when they most need help. I have seen it for myself here in Lebanon, and in many countries round the world,” said Ms. Amos, urging donors “to continue to give generously to support CERF in 2014.”
Ms. Amos announced that she is allocating a further US$10 million to support action in the Central African Republic (CAR) where everyone has been affected by the violence and intimidation which is now part of everyday life. CERF has already given over $7 million for aid in CAR this year.
“People are facing fear, insecurity and lack of stability. Women and children are particularly vulnerable. I hope these additional funds will bring some much needed relief,” she added.
Since 2006, 124 Member States and Observers, as well as regional authorities, foundations, private and individual donors have supported CERF, contributing more than $3.2 billion. This includes 37 countries which are both contributors to and recipients of the Fund.
Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
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