CERF enables fast, flexible and needs-based support for people affected by humanitarian emergencies. The UN General Assembly established the fund in 2005 to provide timely assistance in crises. Since its operational launch in 2006, CERF has developed a reputation for its ability to kick-start humanitarian action, scale up the response to emergencies and serve as a lifeline for people struggling to survive in the world’s most underfunded crises.
Throughout 2016, CERF allocations made food, clean water, medical care, shelter, sanitation, protection and other forms of support available to people experiencing disasters. By the close of the year, CERF had provided over $4.7 billion in humanitarian assistance to 98 different countries.
Every year, on average, CERF helps humanitarian partners to deliver:
Critical health care to 20 million people
Water and sanitation to 13 million people
Food assistance to 9 million people
Livelihood support to 5 million people
Protection to 5 million people
Shelter to 1 million people