Conference of the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF)

Thursday 1th November.

The presentation was made by Mr. Rashid Khalikov, Director of OCHA (Office for the Coordination for Humanitarian Affairs) New York.

He first pointed out the amount expected by the CERF this year, which is 380 millions US dollars of witch they have already received 312. In 2006 the CERF have received 300 millions. The expectancy for 2008 his much higher: 450 US $.

He recalled that the CERF includes a grant element based on voluntary contributions by the Governments and private sectors such as corporations, individuals and NGOs. The CERF was approved by consensus by the UN General Assembly in 2005.

The presentation was then followed by several data:
- Loan components in 2007: FAO 24%, UNICEF 37%, UNDP 7%, WFP 25%, DPKO/ONUMAS 7% ...
- Grant allocation per continent: Africa 71,1% (mainly Congo, Somalia, Mozambique), Asia 22,4% (included East Timor), Latin and Central American Countries 5,9%.
- Funds committed in 2006: - under-funded: 75 million US $, Rapid response: 140 million US $.
- Funds committed in 2007: - under-funded: 190 million US $, Rapid response: 200 millions US $.

In 2007, CERF have registered 13 flash appeals and of them were related to climate change except for Peru. Mozambique is the country who received the biggest amount 29% of the flash appeal.

The Interim Independent Review Recommendations:
- clarify the scope of the life-saving criteria for the CERF.
- continue initiatives to strengthen the RC/HCs.
- Clarify the relationship between CERF and humanitarian agenda

The Advisory Group Recommendations:
- improve partnerships.
- Support HC strengthening.
- Improve speed of disbursement throughout the process.
- Reduce transaction cost.
- Improve accountability.

In conclusion Mr. Khalikov informed that their will be a high level conference in December.

Ms. Sharon Russo, the Chair person gave the floor.

Ireland asked how long it takes when a disaster occurs for the funds to be available. The director of OCHA answered that it ranges from 1 week to 20 days.

Turkey wanted to know what can be done to bring more donors: 2 or 3 diplomatic briefings, reach the regional group like G77.

Switzerland asked what was the amount coming from the private sector: 121.021 US $ from the private donations trough the UN. The CERF has identified approximately 10 individuals in the private sector marketing strategy and is working on possible message by Medias.

Finally Peru asked how they estimate the priorities when they don’t manage to receive all the necessary flash appeal: CERF works with the local authorities and national Governments.

Ismaila Pedro FAYE