But with humanitarian needs rising as crises multiply, “the tank is running empty, with millions of lives at stake,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres, urging countries to reach the $1 billion target.
“By creating CERF 20 years ago, the international community made a simple promise: when disaster strikes, help will come,” he said. “Today, I ask you to renew that promise.”
Making a difference
The high-level engagement event came a day after the UN launched its 2026 global humanitarian appeal, which calls for $23 billion to reach 87 million people most in need in 50 countries.
“Within that broader effort, CERF is our flexible first response fund”said the Secretary General.
“In many places, CERF has made the difference between life-saving help or no help at all.”
When humanitarian access opened in Gaza, CERF helped ensure fuel supplies to power hospitals, water systems and other critical services. The fund was there when full-scale war broke out in Ukraine in 2022, and acted within hours.
Approximately $110 million has been allocated this year to underfunded and neglected emergencies, including those in Afghanistan and Somalia, while Caribbean countries received funding, evacuation support and essential supplies as Hurricane Melissa moved toward the region in October.
‘Warning lights are flashing’
CERF receives support from Member States, regional governments, international organizations, the private sector, individuals and other donors.
However, contributions fell sharply this year and are expected to reach the lowest level in a decade, warned UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher.
“When we are needed at full strength, the warning lights flash,” he said.
“It’s not just a funding gap; It is an operational emergency. And if CERF fails, then the global emergency service will fail and the people who depend on us will suffer.”
A woman who fled violence in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo receives postnatal care in a camp for displaced people.
intensifying
Fletcher announced a $100 million allocation to the world’s most underfunded emergencies, which he said represents about a quarter of projected revenue for 2025.
Ireland and the Philippines co-sponsored the event, with both governments highlighting the value of supporting the fund.
Ireland’s Minister of State for International Development, Neale Richmond, said the country will contribute an additional €1 million in 2026, bringing the total contribution to €21.5 million.
While acknowledging that “funding is not the only solution” to addressing humanitarian crises, as “real political solutions are needed,” he said these remain out of reach.
‘A moral obligation’
“In the meantime, we have a moral obligation to ensure that people caught up in crises who don’t necessarily make the headlines, or who have never made the headlines, are not forgotten,” he said in a video message.
The Philippines has contributed approximately $1 million to CERF since its inception, starting with donations of around $5,000 to $10,000 in the early days to approximately $250,000 this year. In 2026 another $200,000 will be delivered.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro recalled that CERF quickly allocated nearly $6 million just days before Super Typhoon Fung-wong made landfall in November, in addition to providing critical assistance during previous disasters.
“By empowering United Nations agencies to provide essential services such as food, shelter and healthcare, CERF has been a ray of hope for those affected,” he said in a video message.