Statement by Abhishek Singh, First Secretary, at the High Level Conference on the Central Emergency Response Fund, on 17 December 2014

Madam Chair,

Let me at the outset congratulate you and your team for organizing the High Level Conference on the Central Emergency Response Fund. We would also like to thank the Secretary General and the Under Secretary General for Humanitarian affairs for their insightful briefing.

Madam Chair,

At the moment, we are facing unprecedented number of mega humanitarian crisis. We believe there is a significant need for broad and inclusive partnerships to meet these challenges, and to strengthen the coordination of humanitarian assistance.  In this regard, CERF has a critical role to play.

Madame Chair,

We would like to acknowledge the work done by the CERF from providing education to children from South Sudan in Uganda, to providing accommodation and education to refugees in Chad and South Sudanese refugees in Ethiopia.  We have noted that CERF along with Common Humanitarian Funds (CHFs) and Emergency Response Funds (ERFs) provided assistance in the regions hit by humanitarian crisis. 

Madame Chair,

In the latest report on CERF, the Secretary General has noted that in 2013 the Emergency Relief coordinator approved the grants totaling US$482 million to 45 countries and territories. In terms of sectoral allotment, funds were transferred to wide ranging sectors like food, health, water and sanitation etc. UNICEF, WFP and UNHCR were the largest grant receiving agencies from CERF which provided humanitarian relief to the most needy. We have also noted that CERF has allotted funds for the underfunded emergencies. In this regard, funds were allocated to Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Pakistan and several other countries in 2013.

Madam Chair,

Despite its own resource constraints, India made contributions of US $ 500,000 each to St. Vincent and Grenadines and St. Lucia and US$ 300,000/- to Commonwealth of Dominica, for providing disaster relief assistance in the aftermath of the flash floods that had stuck these islands on 24th December 2013. India also contributed US$ 500,000 in 2014 to CERF taking our total contribution to US $ 5 million. We are happy to announce a contribution of US$ 500,000 to CERF for 2014-15.

Madam Chair, 

In conclusion, we would like convey India's firm commitment to doing its utmost to contribute towards assisting an increasing number of people around the globe in need of humanitarian assistance, often in complex and/or protracted situations.  We remain confident that collectively we will be able to effectively contribute to addressing these challenges through enhanced cooperation and by fostering broad consensus among Member States on the promotion of effective and inclusive humanitarian action. Without any doubt, CERF is playing a significant role and we lend our support to its endeavors.

I thank you, Madam Chair.