UN approves $150m to solve humanitarian crises and poverty in Africa, Asia and Middle East

The United Nations has approved $150 million to boost underfunded humanitarian operations in 13 countries in Africa, the Americas, Asia and the Middle East.

The fund which is from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) was announced by the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Martin Griffiths on Friday, January 14.

This comes after the prediction by tbe Global Humanitarian Overview that in 2021, 274 million people will need humanitarian assistance, the highest number in decades. 

The United Nations and its partners aim to assist 183 million of the most vulnerable people at a cost of at least $41 billion.

The UN said it's aid operations in Burkina Faso, Chad and Niger will each receive $10 million.

It also said the CERF funding will support relief operations in the Syrian Arab Republic ($25 million), the Democratic Republic of the Congo ($23 million), the Republic of the Sudan ($20 million) and Myanmar ($12 million). The remainder of the funding will go to Haiti ($8 million), Lebanon ($8 million), Madagascar ($7 million), Kenya ($6 million), Angola ($6 million) and Honduras ($5 million).

Griffiths said, “This funding represents a lifeline for the millions of people caught up in underfunded crises. This largest-ever allocation from CERF will help address the most urgent needs of vulnerable communities.

CERF funding allows donor contributions to go further, swiftly reaching those who need our help the most. I thank all donors to CERF whose generosity has made this support possible. Together we do make a difference.”

Since the creation of CERF by the UN General Assembly in 2005, and with generous contributions from more than 130 Member States and observers, as well as other donors, including private individuals, CERF has assisted hundreds of millions of people with some $7.5 billion across more than 110 countries and territories.