Closing the funding gap: UN CERF has disbursed $100 million to 11 countries facing underfunded emergencies

In a second round this year, the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) will release funding for underfunded emergencies in 11 countries, announced UN humanitarian aid chief Martin Griffiths.

The fund is designed to respond to humanitarian emergencies worldwide. Twice each year, the humanitarian aid chief selects countries for potential grants in the underfunded window. Countries are selected based on the current level of funding, needs, and risk, determined in consultation with UN agencies and NGOs.

“This allocation will help millions of people caught in terrible crises where the scale of needs has outpaced contributions,” said USG Griffiths. 

Humanitarian operations in Algeria, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Mali, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nigeria, South Sudan, Uganda, Venezuela and Yemen will receive an infusion of cash ranging from $3 million to $20 million.

The allocation follows an earlier underfunded round for $150 million. Together, these two allocations, for $250 million, set a record for CERF funding released to underfunded emergencies.

At a time of incredible hardship for millions of people worldwide facing conflict, climate emergency, hunger and forced displacement, the UN aims to raise $47 billion to help 204 million of the most vulnerable.

While humanitarian appeals in some countries have met or are on track to meet their funding goals, several emergency appeals have struggled to fundraise. As of this month, the funding shortfall for the overall UN appeal is the highest it has ever been. This CERF underfunded round helps fill the gap and address funding imbalances.

Since it was established 16 years ago, CERF has been one of the key ways to provide emergency funding to people in need, disbursing more than $8 billion worldwide and $2.7 billion specifically to underfunded emergencies.