NOK 325 million allocated to UN Central Emergency Response Fund

“We want to show our strong commitment to UN humanitarian efforts at a difficult time,” said Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, commenting on Norway’s contribution to the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) and a new multi-year cooperation agreement with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

The Norwegian contributions to UN humanitarian efforts were announced by State Secretary Gry Larsen in New York today. Norway is allocating NOK 325 million to the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) for 2010. At the same time a multi-year cooperation agreement with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), amounting to NOK 250 million, is being signed.

“The establishment of the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) has enhanced the UN’s ability to provide humanitarian assistance rapidly and effectively. The fact that Norway is now increasing its contributions to the fund during the financial crisis sends an important political signal. Climate change and complex crises have increased the need for humanitarian assistance,” said Ms Larsen in New York.

Under the multi-year agreement with OCHA, Norway will provide NOK 250 million for the organisation’s core activities over a four-year period. In addition to this, Norway provides support for OCHA’s efforts at country level in humanitarian crises. Norway’s new contributions to CERF and OCHA are part of the follow up to the white paper on Norway’s humanitarian policy (Report No. 40 (2008–2009) to the Storting).

“This agreement further confirms Norway’s position as a good humanitarian donor – giving funding in a predictable, flexible and timely manner, to facilitate quick and efficient response to humanitarian emergencies,” said UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator John Holmes.

“Enhancing the predictability and flexibility of UN humanitarian efforts saves lives,” said Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.