UN’s ‘life-saver’ fund breaks $2 billion barrier in backing crisis relief efforts

The United Nations-managed fund set up to assist the victims of conflicts and disasters in their immediate aftermath today passed the $2 billion milestone in the amount of money it has disbursed to humanitarian agencies.

Launched in 2006, the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) has since allocated aid to crises and emergencies in at least 82 countries.

The fund was created by UN Member States to ensure that aid is available within hours of a crisis or emergency forming and to also support aid agencies operating in countries where emergencies have been under-funded.

“CERF is a proven life-saver,” said Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon as he welcomed the surpassing of the $2 billion mark. “When people are hit by disaster, there is no time to lose.”

The fund is now the UN’s sixth largest source of revenue for humanitarian appeals, and allocates an average of $400 million each year, drawing on donations from 122 countries as well as the private sector.

Last year alone the fund is credited with helping more than 22 million people in 45 countries, including victims of the devastating earthquake in Haiti, the widespread floods in Pakistan and ongoing tensions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

More recently, it has disbursed $10 million to Côte d’Ivoire since it was engulfed by fighting and humanitarian suffering in the wake of disputed presidential election results.

In Zimbabwe, nearly $5 million has been allocated to previously under-funded UN efforts to tackle acute malnutrition, drought and cholera.

UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Valerie Amos said the fund has enabled UN agencies to react more quickly and comprehensively to crises than in the past.

“There can be no doubt: CERF saves lives,” she said, lauding Member States for the $2.3 billion in commitments so far.