NEW YORK, DECEMBER 8 – The international community continues to face serious challenges that require more efficiency from the humanitarian aid. In view of this Italy is increasing by 25% in 2018 its contribution to the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) of UNOCHA.
CERF was introduced as the UN’s global emergency response fund to deliver funding quickly to humanitarian responders and bring greater balance to emergency assistance. Twelve years on, the fund has earned its place in the current humanitarian ecosystem as one of the most effective ways to provide time-critical assistance, including supplies, basic services and protection to millions of people in need. It is also a lifeline for those caught up in the world’s most neglected, underfunded and long-lasting crises.
Since 2006, donors to CERF have enabled the UN agencies, funds and programmes, and their implementing partners to provide over US$5 billion worth of life-saving assistance to 100 countries and territories thanks to the voluntary contributions from 126 UN Member States and observers as well as many regional governments, corporate donors, foundations and individuals.
During 2016, CERF allocated $439 million to support 445 projects in 47 countries. More than half of its 2016 total funding, or $289 million, allowed humanitarian partners to immediately jump-start or scale up urgent aid in new or rapidly deteriorating emergencies, while $150 million was allocated to sustain humanitarian operations in underfunded and protracted crises. The humanitarian crisis in Iraq received the largest portion of CERF’s total allocations. More than $33.3 million enabled humanitarian partners to respond quickly to increasing needs in Fallujah, Mosul and other affected areas.
