The United States, through USAID, announced an additional nearly $10 million contribution to the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF). This contribution will support the delivery of life-saving assistance around the world and help reach some of the most vulnerable and hard-to-reach populations.
The CERF plays a critical role in responding to the needs of the world's most vulnerable, allocating $643 million to help UN agencies and partners provide life-saving assistance to tens of millions of people across 40 countries so far in 2023. This year, the CERF disbursed funding to respond to crises caused by conflict and natural hazards in Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Sudan, Haiti, and Syria, among other countries.
In addition to quickly mobilizing aid in the wake of disasters, CERF also provides urgently needed support for countries in which humanitarian responses are underfunded by the international community. In September, CERF released $125 million to support underfunded humanitarian operations in 14 countries, including Mozambique and the Central African Republic.
The world is facing historic needs amid increasingly protracted conflicts and the escalating climate emergency. According to the UN, global humanitarian needs have been rising and hitting record levels year after year. Funding from the CERF allows humanitarian organizations to rapidly mobilize aid for the people in greatest need, both in places facing protracted crises and those affected by newly emerging disasters.
USAID is proud to support the CERF as part of the United States' global efforts to respond to these unprecedented needs. We urge fellow donors to join us in contributing to the humanitarian community's collective efforts to save lives and ease suffering around the world.
