ECOSOC Humanitarian Affairs 2015

It has been almost 10 years since CERF was established. During that time, the humanitarian landscape has undergone significant changes. There has been a sharp rise in demand for humanitarian assistance around the world but securing sufficient, timely and predictable resources for effective humanitarian action – covering both large and small emergencies - has become increasingly challenging.

Against this backdrop, this year’s CERF side-event at the ECOSOC Humanitarian Affairs Segment will focus on the following questions:  

• How do changes in humanitarian landscape affect the future of CERF?
• What is the comparative advantage of CERF and how can the Fund remain an effective mechanism for the future?
• How do we ensure a well-resourced CERF for the years to come? 

The event’s discussion will be chaired by Mr. Stephen O'Brien, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator. The following distinguished guest will make up the panel:

• Elhadj As Sy, Secretary General, IFRC
• Carsten Staur, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Denmark to the United Nations in Geneva
• Robert Piper, UN Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process / UN Coordinator for Humanitarian Aid and Development Activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
• Barbara Noseworthy, Assistant Executive Director a.i., Partnership, Governance and Advocacy Department, World Food Programme 
• Barnaby Willitts-King, author of the CERF for the Future study
• Robert Filipp, President, Innovative Finance Foundation