Central Emergency Response Fund
Encyclopedia
The Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) (Fonds central d'intervention d'urgence, in French) is a humanitarian funding mechanism established by the United Nations
to enable more timely and reliable assistance to victims of natural disasters and armed conflicts. It was approved by the United Nations General Assembly on 15 December 2005 and launched in March 2006.
Following a disaster, the world looks to the UN to lead the international response. The UN relies on donor contributions to undertake relief activities. Contributions, however, can often be unreliable, uneven and late. Early and predictable funding is essential. It prevents situations from spiraling out of control, saving resources and, more important, saving lives.
The CERF was created to ensure that funds are available immediately in response to disasters and emergencies. The Fund provides an easy and centralized way to support the UN’s life-saving efforts in humanitarian crises around the world. Whether in response to a headline disaster or a forgotten crisis, the CERF permits the UN to respond rapidly and equitably to save lives.
Specific allocations from the Fund included:
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
to enable more timely and reliable assistance to victims of natural disasters and armed conflicts. It was approved by the United Nations General Assembly on 15 December 2005 and launched in March 2006.
Following a disaster, the world looks to the UN to lead the international response. The UN relies on donor contributions to undertake relief activities. Contributions, however, can often be unreliable, uneven and late. Early and predictable funding is essential. It prevents situations from spiraling out of control, saving resources and, more important, saving lives.
The CERF was created to ensure that funds are available immediately in response to disasters and emergencies. The Fund provides an easy and centralized way to support the UN’s life-saving efforts in humanitarian crises around the world. Whether in response to a headline disaster or a forgotten crisis, the CERF permits the UN to respond rapidly and equitably to save lives.
Allocations
Since its inception in March 2006, the Fund has provided over US$800 million in assistance, reaching millions of disaster victims in over 60 countries. Recent contributions have helped survivors of the May 2008 earthquake in China and cyclone in Myanmar, as well as victims of the ongoing conflict in Darfur.Specific allocations from the Fund included:
- In August 2007, the CERF proved vital in allocating funds (US$ 8.7 million) for the response to the 2007 Sudan floods2007 Sudan floodsOn 3 July 2007, flash floods started to devastate many parts of Sudan, including some areas in conflict-battered Darfur and war-torn Southern Sudan.-Damage:...
, in response to a request launched by acting United NationsUnited NationsThe United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
Humanitarian CoordinatorHumanitarian CoordinatorThe Humanitarian Coordinator is the senior-most United Nations official in a country experiencing a humanitarian emergency. The Humanitarian Coordinator is appointed by the United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator when a new emergency occurs or an existing humanitarian situation "worsens in...
David GresslyDavid GresslyDavid Gressly is a senior United Nations official.With a background as a Peace Corps volunteer and as an official of the United Nations Children's Fund , he was appointed in 2005 by Secretary-General Kofi Annan as UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in Juba, Southern Sudan...
on behalf of United NationsUnited NationsThe United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
agencies in the country.
- In February 2008, in response to a request by Resident CoordinatorResident CoordinatorA United Nations Resident Coordinator is the highest United Nations official and the chief of UN diplomatic mission in a country . It confers the same rank as an Ambassador of a foreign state...
for CameroonCameroonCameroon, officially the Republic of Cameroon , is a country in west Central Africa. It is bordered by Nigeria to the west; Chad to the northeast; the Central African Republic to the east; and Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo to the south. Cameroon's coastline lies on the...
Sophie de CaenSophie de CaenSophie de Caen, a citizen of Canada, is a senior UN official working for the United Nations Development Programme .Since 2004, she is Resident Representative of UNDP, and Resident Coordinator of the United Nations, in Cameroon...
, the CERF allocated US$ 4.7 million to the humanitarian operations in response to the inflow of ChadChadChad , officially known as the Republic of Chad, is a landlocked country in Central Africa. It is bordered by Libya to the north, Sudan to the east, the Central African Republic to the south, Cameroon and Nigeria to the southwest, and Niger to the west...
ian refugeeRefugeeA refugee is a person who outside her country of origin or habitual residence because she has suffered persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or because she is a member of a persecuted 'social group'. Such a person may be referred to as an 'asylum seeker' until...
s into CameroonCameroonCameroon, officially the Republic of Cameroon , is a country in west Central Africa. It is bordered by Nigeria to the west; Chad to the northeast; the Central African Republic to the east; and Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo to the south. Cameroon's coastline lies on the...
, in the aftermath of the 2008 battle of N'DjamenaBattle of N'Djamena (2008)The Battle of N'Djamena began on February 2, 2008 when Chadian rebel forces opposed to Chadian President Idriss Déby entered N'Djamena, the capital of Chad, after a three-day advance through the country. The rebels were initially successful, taking a large part of the city and attacking the heavily...
.
- In August 2008, in response to a request by Humanitarian CoordinatorHumanitarian CoordinatorThe Humanitarian Coordinator is the senior-most United Nations official in a country experiencing a humanitarian emergency. The Humanitarian Coordinator is appointed by the United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator when a new emergency occurs or an existing humanitarian situation "worsens in...
for ChadChadChad , officially known as the Republic of Chad, is a landlocked country in Central Africa. It is bordered by Libya to the north, Sudan to the east, the Central African Republic to the south, Cameroon and Nigeria to the southwest, and Niger to the west...
Kingsley Amaning, the CERF allocated US$ 1.2 million to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in ChadChadChad , officially known as the Republic of Chad, is a landlocked country in Central Africa. It is bordered by Libya to the north, Sudan to the east, the Central African Republic to the south, Cameroon and Nigeria to the southwest, and Niger to the west...
, to replace non-food itemNon-food itemNon-food items are items other than food. The term is especially used in humanitarian contexts, when providing NFIs to those affected by natural disasters or war may be a life-saving priority....
s that were stolen or looted during continued warfare in Chad. The local OCHAOchaOcha is a genus of moth in the family Lasiocampidae....
head of office, Eliane DuthoitEliane DuthoitÉliane Duthoit , a French citizen, is a senior United Nations official at the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs .- Career overview :...
, highlighted the importance of the contribution, but also called on belligerent parties to stop destroying or looting humanitarian supplies.