Record-high numbers of people are in need of humanitarian aid across the world, according to a press release from the United Nations. As a result, the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, has announced the largest-ever allocation of US$250 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to help the most vulnerable people in some of the most forgotten crises and to stave off famine.
The UN and its partners reached nearly 160 million people in 2022, but the need for humanitarian aid has increased by over 25% since last year, leaving around 339 million people requiring assistance. However, the surge in humanitarian needs is outpacing the ability to respond. To meet the basic needs of 240 million people, nearly $54 billion is required, but it is anticipated that less than half of that amount will be raised.
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The newly announced CERF allocation of $250 million will help people in 19 countries. The aid will be distributed in 8 countries, including Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Haiti, Mali, Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan, and Yemen. Additionally, the funds will bolster the humanitarian response in underfunded crises in Chad, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Honduras, Kenya, Lebanon, Madagascar, Pakistan, and Sudan to combat food insecurity and address the impacts of climate change and protracted crises.
“The money will enable early action, getting ahead of crises in the making, including famines,” said Martin Griffiths, the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator. “I thank all donors who have contributed to CERF. You have made this massive allocation possible.”
While the new funds will jump-start humanitarian operations in 19 emergencies, the UN emphasizes the need for earlier and larger amounts of funding. The UN is appealing to donors to replenish CERF so that resources can reach more people in need. The organization has also emphasized the importance of addressing the root causes driving humanitarian conditions and increasing investment in development and building resilience in fragile countries.
Last week, the UN and its partners sought $2.6 billion to assist 7.6 million people in Somalia this year. The country is facing the longest and most severe drought in its history, following five consecutive poor rainy seasons, which have devastated the country.
Roughly 8.25 million people, nearly half the population, require immediate lifesaving aid and protection. Famine is a strong possibility from April to June and beyond if humanitarian assistance is not sustained and the next rainfall is insufficient.
“The efforts of local communities and the scale-up of humanitarian assistance prevented famine thresholds from being surpassed in 2022, but millions of lives remain on the line,” said Adam Abdelmoula, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia.
In Somalia, more than 1.4 million people have been displaced while at least 3.5 million livestock has died, destroying livelihoods and reducing children’s access to milk.
