Statement by Sweden at the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) High-level Pledging Event (6 December, 2023)
Secretary-General, Under-Secretary-General, excellencies, dear colleagues.
As we gather here today the humanitarian system is facing extreme challenges. Global humanitarian needs are at record levels, and the gap between available funds and requirements has never been this dramatic. Against this backdrop, today’s pledging event provides a timely opportunity to demonstrate our solidarity with affected communities and showcase our strong commitment to meet the most urgent humanitarian needs.
Since the establishment of the CERF in 2005, Sweden has been the Fund’s second largest donor and a committed partner. We are pleased, and proud, to see that CERF year after year keeps delivering on its mandate to deploy resources flexibly and rapidly to the most vulnerable across the globe.
With soaring needs and limited resources, we are witnessing severe underfunding of many severe crises, including Sudan and Afghanistan. With the Underfunded Emergencies Window, CERF continues to be a lifeline for people caught in crises that do not attract much global attention. This year, the Underfunded Emergencies Window has seen the largest annual amount ever allocated, to the highest number of countries, demonstrating CERF’s crucial role in this regard.
Through the Rapid Response window, CERF allocates funding within hours of humanitarian shocks, ensuring that resources are made available when they are needed the most. In response to the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza, emergency funding could be allocated through CERF to actors on the ground within days, allowing humanitarian actors to stay and deliver in extremely challenging conditions.
In light of growing humanitarian needs, we recently disbursed an additional 3,4 million USD to CERF, providing a total amount of 67 million USD to the Fund in 2023. We remain committed to honour our ambitious multi-year agreement with CERF, and are now for 2024 pledging 725 million Swedish kronor (approx. 69 million USD) to replenish the Fund, of course subject to approval by Parliament, and a subsequent Government decision.
With this pledge, Sweden reconfirms its commitment to CERF, and to the principled and effective humanitarian response it enables. We look forward to continuing the cooperation with OCHA and partners on the management of the CERF in 2024 and beyond.
Finally, I would like to emphasize the need for more donors to contribute to the financing of CERF. Ensuring that the Fund remains well equipped to meet growing humanitarian needs cannot be the sole responsibility of a handful of donors. We therefore welcome the generous pledges to CERF that will be made today. Every contribution matters.
Thank you.