Norway provides NOK 380 million to the UN’s Emergency Response Fund

More than 125 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance and protection due to the many – often protracted – crises and natural disasters throughout the world.

‘Record numbers of people throughout the world need humanitarian assistance. CERF provides immediate funding for life-saving response when humanitarian crises arise. Norway has been one of the largest contributors to the Fund since it was established ten years ago. The Fund is used to make rapid payments for emergency relief in acute crises and in underfinanced and overlooked crises where there is great need, but little international focus,’ said Minister of Foreign Affairs Børge Brende.

During the past ten years, more than USD 4 billion has been channelled through CERF to humanitarian organisations in 93 countries. In 2015 the Fund has provided USD 429 million for humanitarian efforts in 38 countries. Through CERF, millions of people have received live-saving assistance, from the victims of the earthquake in Nepal to displaced people in Myanmar, the Horn of Africa, Darfur, South Sudan, Yemen, Syria and those who have fled to the neighbouring countries.

The Fund also plays an important role by strengthening cooperation and coordination at country level. 

‘Given the major, unmet humanitarian needs in the world today, it is essential that more countries make a greater contribution. It is a problem that a small group of donor countries provide almost 90 % of CERF’s total budget,’ said Mr Brende.