CERF Allocates US $51.3 Million to Drought Affected Areas in the Horn of Africa

(New York, 22 July 2011): In response to the intensifying crisis in the Horn of Africa, Emergency Relief Coordinator Valerie Amos has allocated US$51.3 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to provide urgent life-saving assistance. This funding, issued over the last two weeks, will enable the delivery of over 40,000 metric tons of food, among other projects.

Humanitarian agencies in Ethiopia received $14.6 million, $20 million went to projects in Somalia, $13.6 million to projects in Kenya and an additional $3.1 million went to support refugees.

These funds will help provide emergency food to vulnerable children and mothers in the worst affected areas, as well as water, sanitation and hygiene support, and mass vaccinations for livestock.

As the drought worsens, this additional CERF funding will be critical to enhance and expand the humanitarian response.

The latest allocation follows the release of $30 million to Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia in February and March 2011 when humanitarian partners reported emerging drought conditions and worsening food insecurity.

CERF relies on the ongoing generosity of Member States and the private sector to be able to respond to emergencies like this one rapidly and effectively.

More than 123 Member States, observers and many private sector donors have contributed more than $2 billion to the Fund, which is managed by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

The CERF was established in 2006 to ensure faster and more equitable funding for humanitarian emergencies.

Please visit the Horn of Africa crisis page on OCHA Online, for the latest updates and stories: http://www.unocha.org/crisis/horn-africa-crisis