The United Nations allocated US$160 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) on Friday to support life-saving assistance in 12 of the world’s most underfunded humanitarian crises, spanning Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. This allocation is part of a broader effort to assist 87 million people facing the most severe humanitarian crises this year.
“We have 87 million people to reach, and no time to waste. Today’s new funding will help us get aid to people who might otherwise be left behind,” said Tom Fletcher, the UN humanitarian chief and Emergency Relief Coordinator, in a statement
“But money alone won’t get us there: leaders must exercise political will to open access, remove obstacles, and help us reach people whose lives are on the line.”
Funding targets 12 of the world’s most underfunded crises
The new allocation includes $150 million to support life-saving responses in Afghanistan ($18 million), Burkina Faso ($10 million), Cameroon ($6 million), Chad ($9 million), Cuba ($4 million), Mali ($10 million), Niger ($10 million), the Occupied Palestinian Territory ($18 million), Somalia ($16 million), South Sudan ($15 million), Sudan ($16 million), and Yemen ($18 million).
Five of these crises—Afghanistan, the Occupied Palestinian Territory, South Sudan, Sudan, and Yemen—are among the ten contexts where Fletcher recently called for urgent diplomatic action to secure humanitarian access and ensure assistance for 11 million of the 87 million people prioritized for support this year.
The CERF allocation includes $10 million to address urgent needs and make humanitarian assistance more accessible and inclusive for people with disabilities in 12 crises. CERF is partnering with the UN Global Disability Fund, which will provide up to $4 million in additional funding and technical support through its Inclusion Catalyst Hub. This support will strengthen the capacity and participation of local disability organizations in humanitarian responses.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) manages CERF, and the Emergency Relief Coordinator administers it on behalf of the UN Secretary-General. For over two decades, CERF has been one of the world's fastest and most reliable sources of humanitarian funding.
Despite soaring humanitarian needs, CERF funding remains far below $1 billion target
Friday’s allocation brings the total amount of CERF funding allocated thus far in 2026 to $483 million, including $323 million for Rapid Response and $160 million for Underfunded Emergencies.
However, amid soaring humanitarian needs and stretched resources, the Fund has only received $484 million in contributions so far this year, which is well below its annual target. CERF's annual funding target is $1 billion, but this goal has never been reached.
CERF receives broad support from UN member states, observers, regional authorities, international organizations, the private sector, and individuals. The fund is uniquely positioned to provide timely funding both for Rapid Response and for Underfunded Emergencies.
Decisions about CERF allocations for Underfunded Emergencies are based on a detailed analysis of over 100 humanitarian indicators and extensive consultations with partner organizations.
The fund allows the United Nations and its humanitarian partners to prepare for and respond to predicted shocks and disasters, such as the impacts of El Niño across several countries. The fund also enables rapid responses to events like the earthquakes in Venezuela and Colombia and the devastating floods in Nepal.
Since its establishment by the UN General Assembly in 2005, CERF has received contributions from 135 member states, observers, and other donors, including private individuals. With these contributions, CERF has provided assistance to hundreds of millions of people in over 117 countries and territories, totaling more than $10 billion, including $3.4 billion for underfunded crises.
In 2023, CERF launched its Climate Action Account at the COP28 Climate Change Conference. The account aims to support the world’s most vulnerable communities affected by the climate crisis, including through anticipatory action. Since then, CERF has been the primary international source of funding for responding to climate-related humanitarian emergencies.