The Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF)
(formerly Central Emergency Revolving Fund)
On 15 December 2005, the General Assembly adopted, by consensus, resolution A/RES/60/124, upgrading the former Central Emergency Revolving Fund to the Central Emergency Response Fund. This Fund will ensure a more predictable and timely response to humanitarian crisis. The revamped Fund aims to achieve an overall target of $500 million and will add to the current $50 million revolving facility, a grant facility of $450 million. This fund is administered on behalf of the Secretary-General by the Emergency Relief Coordinator in consultation with humanitarian agencies and the relevant Humanitarian Coordinators.
The new CERF, which is the first concrete outcome of the Secretary-General�s reform process and the Millennium Summit, and was launched on 9 March 2006. The international community�s response to the new CERF has been enthusiastic and initial pledges of more than $175 million were received during the Millennium Summit on 15 September. A financial and expenditure tracking system is available for tracking donations and grants/loans. The Fund represents an important international multilateral funding instrument that will save lives through the provision of quick initial funding for life-saving assistance at the onset of humanitarian crises.
The new CERF builds on General Assembly resolution A/RES/46/182, which aimed at strengthening the United Nation's capacity to respond to natural disasters and complex emergencies through the establishment of a Central Emergency Revolving Fund. During the 56th session of the General Assembly in 2001, Member States endorsed several proposals made by the Secretary-General to expand the use of the CERF (A/RES/56/107). The resolution allowed the original CERF to be used to respond to humanitarian emergencies resulting from natural disasters, to address the need for new requirements in protracted emergencies and to support emergency staff safety arrangement for the UN and associated personnel.
The new CERF has three objectives:
- Promote early action and response to save lives;
- Enhance response to time-crucial requirements based on demonstrable needs;
- Strengthen core elements of humanitarian response in under-funded crisis.
The UN agencies and their implementing partners will be able access the Fund within 72 hours of the crises, enabling more lives to be saved in the earliest moments of a disaster when people are at most risk.
To track pledges and contributions, please click here.
To make private donations, please click here. |
CERF
