By Asmau Ahmad
United Nations Relief Chief Martin Griffiths, on Tuesday released US$125 million from the UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to assist underfunded humanitarian operations in 14 countries across Africa, Asia, the Americas, and the Middle East.
The 7 African countries listed are Burkina Faso $9 million; Mali $8 million; Central African Republic $6.5 million; Mozambique $6.5 million; Uganda $6 million; Cameroon $6 million; and Malawi $4 million.
Afghanistan is to get $20 million; Yemen $20 million; Myanmar, $9 million; Haiti $8 million; Venezuela $8 million; and Bangladesh $8 million and Occupied Palestinian Territories
$6 million.
The UN humanitarian affairs office (OCHA) which Griffiths leads, reported that in 2023, global funding requirements have surpassed $55 billion to support 250 million people affected by conflict, climate change, disease outbreaks, and other crises.
Faced with these record needs, less than 30 per cent of the target funding goal has been received.
“It is a cruel reality that in many humanitarian operations, aid agencies are scraping along with very little funding right at a time when people’s needs compel them to scale up,” Emergency Relief Coordinator, Griffiths, said.
“Thanks to the generosity of a vast range of donors, we can count on CERF to fill some of the gaps. Lives are saved as a result.
“But we need individual donors to step up as well – this is a fund by all and for all.’’
The recent injection brings the emergency fund’s total support to more than $270 million this year.
This is the largest amount ever allocated to the highest number of countries, reflecting skyrocketing needs and the fact that regular donor funding is not keeping pace.
