CERF Annual Results Report 2022

Foreword

2022 was another unforgiving year for millions of people caught up in crises. It was also a stark reminder of the importance of a strong global humanitarian emergency fund that is truly “for all, by all.” The Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) once again lived up to that reputation by swiftly allocating US$735 million to provide life-saving support to nearly 33 million people across 42 countries.

We saw this demonstrated in Ukraine, in February, when CERF allocated $20.5 million within hours of the outbreak of full-scale war. As people’s lives were torn apart overnight, these funds helped our partners provide much-needed assistance, such as shelter and protection. Just weeks later, as the crisis escalated, CERF allocated another $40 million, which provided nearly 1 million people with access to water and daily essentials at places of refuge and helped keep children safe. During my visit to Ukraine, in December, I was moved by the impact of these places of refuge as people arrived for a hot meal or simply for a chance to stay warm.

The war in Ukraine also had negative consequences for global food security. Some 50 million people were pushed closer to the brink of famine due to disruptions in grain shipments, combined with conflict and failed rainy seasons in several countries in Africa and the Middle East. Again, CERF was at hand, allocating some $130 million, which was crucial in helping people survive a dire situation in 11 countries, including several countries of the Sahel region and the Horn of Africa.

CERF also stood by people whose lives were overturned by extreme weather-related events.

Among others, Pakistan endured monumental floods, and Hurricane Ian tore through western Cuba. In 2022, nearly one third of CERF funding went to more than 17 million people caught up in climate-related disasters in 23 countries. CERF reinforces support for the most vulnerable. Women and girls are the hidden victims in most crises. I saw this during my visit to Mali, in May, where I heard horrific accounts of sexual violence, early marriage and denial of access to assistance. In 2022, 82 per cent of all CERF-funded projects worldwide, including in Mali, had a focus on protecting people against gender-based violence.

But we face a grim reality: the gap between global humanitarian needs and available resources is growing, and severely underfunded appeals are becoming the norm. CERF allocated a record $250 million through its Underfunded Emergencies window, which was critical for boosting underfunded humanitarian operations in Africa, the Americas, Asia and the Middle East. But much more is needed.

Escalating conflicts, climate shocks and infectious diseases are causing an astonishing rise in the magnitude and intensity of human needs. In 2022, $52 billion was required for humanitarian assistance, up from $38 billion the previous year. In 2023, nearly $54 billion is needed to assist people requiring humanitarian assistance.

Apart from enabling life-saving responses to the most critical emergencies, CERF makes invaluable innovative contributions by improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the humanitarian system. For instance, CERF reinforced efforts to support localization of aid through the Underfunded Emergencies window and plays a key role in scaling up anticipatory action, which provides people with critical assistance before the impact of predictable crises. In 2022, this was, among others, demonstrated in Nepal, where a $3.2 million anticipatory allocation from CERF made assistance possible for some 75,000 vulnerable people ahead of the major flood in the Karnali River Basin.

Despite CERF’s unique capabilities, its funding can no longer keep up with these growing needs. In 2022, its funding accounted for just over 1 per cent of global requirements as captured through humanitarian appeals, down from 9 per cent in 2007.

I am deeply grateful to the donors who supported CERF in 2022. But we still have a long way to go to reach the $1 billion annual target that Member States committed to in 2016.

I hope this report, which highlights many of CERF’s 2022 achievements, will convince more Member States that the Fund will deliver your message of hope to the people who need us the most.

Martin Griffiths Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator