Aid for health crises from UN emergency fund tops $100 million

Funding for health aid from the United Nations emergency relief fund, which was set up to speed assistance to those suffering from natural and man-made disasters, has passed the $100 million mark, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced today.

Nicaraguans threatened by disease after Hurricane Felix, Sudanese fleeing conflicts, survivors of Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar and many others around the world have benefited from the life-saving interventions supported by the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), WHO said.

“This funding has helped save many lives worldwide and improve health care for people caught up in emergencies,” said Eric Laroche, WHO’s Assistant Director-General for Health Action in Crises.

Since its creation in 2006, more than 100 Member States and private donors have pledged some $1.5 billion to the Fund, which has disbursed well over $1 billion to emergency programmes in 67 countries.

The fund was created to allow the world body quick access to its accounts, potentially saving thousands of lives facing sudden crises.

The health funding has been provided through the Health Action in Crises Cluster, WHO’s quick response arm for emergency-affected countries in all regions.

“Passing the $100 million mark is a sign of how vital WHO’s role in emergencies is regarded,” Dr. Laroche said.

Some $66.6 million – or two-thirds of the funding provided to WHO – has been awarded for rapid response to sudden emergencies, such as earthquakes, cyclones and conflicts, while the remaining $35.4 million has gone to support health activities in protracted emergencies that remained under-funded.

The greatest proportion of funding has been for African countries affected by emergencies, followed by those in the Eastern Mediterranean region, South-East Asia and the Western Pacific, WHO said.

In related news, the CERF’s Advisory Group will open its first meeting of 2009 today in New York to elect a new bureau and receive a briefing on the use and management of the Fund from John Holmes, the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator and Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs.

The Advisory Group, created at the same time as the CERF, provides periodic policy guidance and expert advice on the use and impact of the Fund.