Norway increases humanitarian funding for acute crisis response
Press release | Date: 09/12/2022 | Ministry of Foreign Affairs
‘More people are in need of humanitarian assistance than ever before. Norway is now increasing its support to the UN Central Emergency Response Fund and the IFRC’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund. This will help to ensure more effective and better coordinated humanitarian efforts,’ said Minister of Foreign Affairs Anniken Huitfeldt.
The UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) and the Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) facilitate the provision of rapid funding to alleviate acute and underfunded crises. Norway is now increasing its contribution to CERF for 2022 by NOK 30 million. Norway is also increasing its support to the DREF by NOK 20 million.
In addition, Norway has pledged to provide NOK 450 million in support to CERF for 2023. CERF is a vital part of the rapid, international first-line response to humanitarian crises. Norway’s total contribution to CERF for 2022 amounts to NOK 480 million.
‘The UN needs to have a substantial emergency response fund to deal with the many ongoing humanitarian crises. The funding Norway is providing is part of our overall strategy to promote better coordinated, more effective humanitarian efforts at country level. The funds are used to finance rapid humanitarian response in acute crises, as well as to alleviate underfunded emergencies,’ said Ms Huitfeldt.
The funds are allocated to UN organisations that carry out humanitarian efforts themselves and also channel funding to other humanitarian partners that are already on the ground when a crisis strikes.
‘Coordinated UN efforts are helping to save lives every day. Funds from CERF have been used to provide humanitarian assistance and protection in 34 countries. CERF was quick to respond when Typhoon Rai hit the Philippines in December last year, and has provided life-saving assistance on multiple occasions to people affected by drought in Somalia,’ said Ms Huitfeldt.
The countries that have received the most funding from CERF in 2022 are Ukraine, Sudan, Somalia, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
‘We will also provide an additional NOK 10 million in support to the Yemen Humanitarian Fund and a further NOK 7 million to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Effective coordination of humanitarian aid is essential in order to provide life-saving assistance to as many people as possible,’ Ms Huitfeldt said.
Facts
- The UN estimates that 339 million people in 69 countries will need humanitarian assistance and protection in 2023, as a result of political crises, conflicts, the COVID-19 pandemic and the impacts of climate change.
- The UN is calling for USD 51.5 billion in funding for humanitarian efforts in 2023.
- Norway will provide NOK 6.3 billion in 2023. Humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and its neighbouring countries will come in addition to this.
- Norway has provided a total of NOK 8.6 billion in humanitarian aid in 2022. Of this amount, NOK 2.7 billion in humanitarian support has been provided to Ukraine and its neighbouring countries.