Yearly Contribution to the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) 2016

The Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) is a humanitarian fund established by the United Nations to enable more timely and reliable humanitarian assistance to those affected by natural disasters and armed conflicts.

In 2015, the CERF allocated more than $400 million for Rapid Response and Underfunded Emergencies in 45 countries and territories in the world. This is less than targeted (the annual grant facility amounts to $450 million). 64% of the pledges were spent under the rapid response window, 36% under the underfunded crises window.

CERF was created by all nations, for all potential victims of disasters. CERF assures that the funds will go where they are most needed in the network of international aid organizations. It represents a real chance to provide predictable and equitable funding to those affected by natural disasters and other humanitarian emergencies, as it is written in the principles of „Good Humanitarian Donorship“ to which Switzerland commits. The CERF is a specialised tool to contribute to the international commitment of burden sharing.

In 2015, the CERF Secretariat enhanced its efforts to make sure that CERF resources supported the most vulnerable, that humanitarian response is coordinated, and is focused on those who have been worst-affected by crises. The CERF Secretariat worked very closely with Humanitarian Coordinators and humanitarian country teams to help them to maximize the impact of CERF funding and prioritize the most life-saving humanitarian actions. It has also encouraged country teams to coordinate their applications, to reinforce regional planning and priorities.

The importance of timeliness of disbursement of funds from humanitarian agencies to their implementing partners was brought to the attention of the IASC. IASC members were asked by the CERF Advisory Group to demonstrate continuous measurable improvements in this respect.

Efforts to harmonize the processes for pooled funds and CERF to improve the overall coherence, efficiency and effectiveness of humanitarian coordination and action has been undertaken by the CERF Secretariat.

Manuel Bessler was chairing the his first CERF Advisory Group meeting in October 2015.

• Additional advocay to improve the positioning of the Fund relative to other funding mechanisms (better branding and a stronger narrative)
• Broaden and diversifying the donor base through outreach activities as a increase in funding would enable the Fund to better meet the objecties. If expanded, then remain focussed, well-managed, effective, flexible and quick
• Keep the donors informed about potential fraudulent use of Fund allocations
• Remain engaged with the WHS and the High Level Panel on Humanitarian Finance as those processes may help to strenghten the fole fo the Fund as a reliable investment tool in the global humanitarian landscape

• Concerns that funding the Fund through UN assessed contributions could potentially undermine its flexibility, rapid response capability, independence and impartiality
• Opt for more flexibility in the division of funds allocated between the rapid response and underfunded emergnecies windows of the Fund in the context of more protracted humanitarian crises
• Continue to ensure fast onward disbursement of the funds from recipient agencies to their implementation partners

10 out of 59 UN Member States and Observers in 2015

http://www.unocha.org/cerf/our-donors/funding/pledges-and-contributions/2015

Since its creation in 2005, 125 UN Member and Observer States and Territories contributed, as well as 3 regional and local authorities and 33 private donors and civil society.

The CERF is a humanitarian fund that is used according to the consensus reached by the UN General Assembly on 15 December 2005, resolution A/RES/46/182.

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