Uganda

Foreword: A year of challenges

It is my pleasure to present to you the 2008 Annual Report for the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF).

For the millions of people affected by natural disasters and conflict worldwide, 2008 was a year of enormous challenges. More than 211 million people were affected by natural disasters, with more than 238,000 killed and US$200 billion in damages, making 2008 one of the most devastating years in terms of human and material losses.

Summary of crises with major changes since beginning of 2008

(New York: 17 July 2007): From getting medical treatment, building material and food to Afghan refugees to providing helicopters for distributing food in Sudan, the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) has given almost $201 million for life-saving aid activities in the first half of 2007. The largest amounts of rapid response funding from the CERF during this period went to Mozambique ($11.2 million), Guinea ($9.8 million) and Chad ($7.2 million).

INTRODUCTION
This document aims to highlight commonalities and trends in humanitarian needs and response, drawing examples where appropriate from specific situations where the Consolidated Appeals Process (CAP) takes place. It is not meant to be a condensed repetition of the 2004 CAP Mid-Year Reviews, each of which tells its own story and is the result of broad, inclusive, and intensive input from field offices and headquarters of appealing organisations.

Calling for $3 Billion to Aid 21 Countries
IHA/828

2004 UN Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeals

(New York: 3 June 2003): At mid-year, the Consolidated Appeals for countries in crisis have received 1.8 billion of the $5.34 billion---or one-third---of the funds required to carry-out life-sustaining operations in countries in crisis. However, this average masks serious disparities in response. Humanitarian activities in high profile emergencies such as Iraq and Afghanistan have received strong funding, as have appeals for the Great Lakes Region (56%), North Korea (47%,) Chechnya and Neighboring Republics (44%), and Tajikistan (46%).

IHA/747

2003 UN Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeals

IHA/746

Ross Mountain, Assistant Emergency Relief Coordinator and Director of OCHA Geneva, today chaired on behalf of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) a meeting with member states and agencies to review progress and outstanding priorities at the mid-point of the yearly cycle of the Consolidated Appeals Process (CAP).

UNITED NATIONS
Ross Mountain
Assistant Emergency Relief Coordinator and Director OCHA, Geneva

TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
II. GLOBAL TRENDS

• Opportunities and disappointments
• Reaching the Vulnerable: Staff safety and security
• Challenges to the humanitarian system: improving assistance by improving the CAP
• Forging new partnerships
• Preparedness and response

III. PROGRESS TOWARDS CAP GOALS
IV. FUNDING LEVELS AND IMPLICATIONS

• Impact of underfunding

I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

IHA/733

IHA/723

Geneva- New York, 22 November (OCHA) On 28 November, Secretary-General Kofi Annan will launch appeals for 19 humanitarian crises, calling on the international community to provide $2 billion in contributions to sustain the lives of more than 35 million people during the course of 2001. The Global Launch of the Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeals will be held from 11 a.m to 1 p.m at ECOSOC Chamber at United Nations Headquarters in New York. The event, which will be chaired by Ms.