The United Nations has allocated $160 million to support relief work in 12 underfunded humanitarian crises. This allocation, announced by Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), aims to contribute to a wider UN effort to reach 87 million people facing severe humanitarian needs this year. The allocation is part of the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), which has provided a total of $483 million in funding so far in 2026.
Eight African countries are among the recipients of the UN emergency allocation. According to Anadolu Agency's report, $150 million will support operations in Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Cuba, Mali, Niger, the occupied Palestinian territory, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Yemen. A further $10 million is earmarked for the needs of people with disabilities across those 12 crises.
The UN humanitarian chief, Tom Fletcher, also urged political action to improve humanitarian access, stressing that funding must be accompanied by efforts to reach people in need. The CERF was established by the UN General Assembly in December 2005 and launched on 9 March 2006. It is administered by OCHA to help UN agencies finance emergency operations.
The CERF has two channels: a rapid-response channel that helps country teams begin relief work when a new crisis emerges, and an underfunded-emergencies channel that sustains or expands longer-running operations when other funding is unavailable. This allocation brings the total funding provided by CERF so far in 2026 to $483 million.
The crises in the eight African countries receiving funding are among the most severe and underfunded humanitarian emergencies globally. The UN's efforts to address these crises are ongoing, with a focus on providing relief and support to those affected.
The allocation of $160 million by CERF is a significant contribution to the relief efforts in the 12 countries. However, the UN continues to face funding gaps in ongoing emergencies, highlighting the need for sustained support and funding to address humanitarian needs.
The UN's humanitarian efforts, including those supported by CERF, aim to provide critical assistance to people affected by crises. The organization continues to work towards reaching 87 million people facing severe humanitarian needs this year, with a focus on providing life-saving assistance and support.
Key points
- The UN has allocated $160 million to support relief work in 12 underfunded humanitarian crises, including eight African countries.
- The Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) has provided a total of $483 million in funding so far in 2026.
- The UN continues to face funding gaps in ongoing emergencies, highlighting the need for sustained support and funding to address humanitarian needs.
