ReliefWeb

FOREWORD

by the Humanitarian Coordinator in Somalia

am pleased to share with you the 2014 Interim Report of the Common Humanitarian Fund (CHF) in Somalia. This report provides an overview of 2014 donor contributions, funding allocations and partners achievements.
This has been both a challenging and rewarding year for the CHF in Somalia. While donors have supported the CHF with nearly US $46 million in 2014, contributions were at first slow to materialise with $22 million being deposited in the latter half of the year.
Delayed contributions were a result of donor concerns related to whether the CHF could successfully manage risk in the volatile Somalia context. An assessment of the risk management system in June, confirmed that the CHF was effective and accountable in the management of funds, which led to the release of the final tranche of donor funds from July to November.

Our CHF donors include Australia, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. The $46 million that they contributed, combined with a carryover of $8 million brought the total available funds to some $54 million. This represents 14 per cent of the total $364.6 million received so far for the 2014 Somalia Humanitarian Response Plan.

With $51.9 million in disbursements, the CHF has supported life-saving humanitarian assistance in two strategic allocations. It has also supported major initiatives including the measles vaccination campaign, co-funded with the CERF, that targeted 520,000 children under five; and funding for humanitarian flights that enabled agencies to reach over 66,000 affected people with more than 330 metric tons of aid.

Looking at results achieved in 2013, by projects finalised this year, CHF funds have supported nutrition treatment programmes to 314,000 children and pregnant and lactating women; have provided shelter to nearly 15,000 households; and have helped 320,000 people get access to safe water.

Finally, I wish to thank all CHF donors for their ongoing support and confidence in the fund. I look forward to our continued partnership. Amidst the new needs this year, with a highly challenging funding environment, continued support for the CHF is more critical than ever to support vulnerable people in Somalia.

Philippe Lazzarini
Humanitarian Coordinator in Somalia