The United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) plays a crucial role in providing rapid and flexible humanitarian funding to assist people in crisis situations around the world. Established in 2005 by the UN General Assembly, CERF has been instrumental in delivering over $9 billion to support people in over 100 countries and territories facing conflicts, natural disasters, and other emergencies.
In a recent video message to an event supporting the CERF fund, UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the importance of contributions to the fund in saving lives and supporting vulnerable populations. He urged Member States to increase their support and reach the annual target of $1 billion to meet the growing humanitarian needs globally.
One of the success stories highlighted by the Secretary-General was the case of Aya Farhat, a young girl from the town of Braachit in Lebanon. Aya and her family were displaced due to recent hostilities, forcing them to move between seven schools and live in cramped conditions. Thanks to the support provided by CERF, Aya’s family was able to find better shelter, and Aya expressed her gratitude for being together with her family during such difficult times.
The Secretary-General praised CERF as a “UN success story” for its rapid response and focus on putting people first in times of crisis. Since its inception, CERF has helped over 60 recipient countries become donors themselves, showcasing the fund’s impact and effectiveness in addressing humanitarian needs.
The newly appointed UN Humanitarian Coordinator, Tom Fletcher, echoed the Secretary-General’s sentiments, highlighting the crucial role of CERF in supporting humanitarian efforts worldwide. He emphasized the need for increased funding to meet the growing humanitarian needs, with humanitarians seeking $47 billion in 2025 to assist 190 million people across 72 countries.
Mr. Fletcher shared his experiences from his recent visits to Sudan and Chad, where he witnessed the devastating impact of conflict on people’s lives. He noted the generosity of host communities and the tireless efforts of humanitarian workers in providing assistance to those in need. He highlighted how CERF plays a critical role in boosting the humanitarian response by providing timely and essential funding to support relief efforts.
Reflecting on his time in office, Mr. Fletcher emphasized that CERF is not just about the funding it provides but also about its swift and innovative approach to addressing humanitarian crises. He outlined three key reasons why CERF is essential: its speed in disbursing funds, its flexibility in adapting to evolving needs, and its innovation in supporting new and effective approaches to humanitarian response.
As humanitarian needs continue to rise globally, the support for CERF becomes even more critical in ensuring that vulnerable populations receive the assistance they require. By rallying new donors, increasing contributions, and maintaining a focus on putting people first, CERF can continue to save lives and make a meaningful impact on humanitarian response efforts worldwide.
