The United Nations logo is seen on a window in an empty hallway at United Nations headquarters during the 75th annual U.N. General Assembly high-level debate, which is being held mostly virtually due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in New York, US, September 21, 2020. (Reuters)
More than 50 donors give to UN emergency fund, raising $370 million for 2021
The United Nations announced Tuesday it has raised more than $370 million for its emergency fund to help respond to crises in 2021.
More than 50 donors pledged money to the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), managed by the under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs, Mark Lowcock, according to a statement.
The donors were not identified.
“This fund is one of the fastest ways to help people trapped both in sudden-onset and deteriorating crises, as well as underfunded ones that are not at the top of the world’s radar,” said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres during a videoconference of donors held at the body’s headquarters.
For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.
Created in 2005, the fund “has helped millions of people get food, health care, shelter and protection this year,” Lowcock said.
In 2020, CERF helped 65 million people in 52 countries and territories, for a total amount of more than $900 million.
The money was used to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and other diseases, as well as for relief from conflicts or natural disasters, or to avoid famine, according to the statement.
Read more:
Coronavirus: UAE says Sinopharm vaccine trials suggest 86 pct success, safe for use
CDC advisers to review data on Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine
Biden outlines COVID-19 vaccine goal: 100 million shots in 100 days
The donors’ conference for the emergency fund comes a few days after the UN published its estimate of humanitarian needs for 160 million people in 2021, a total of $35 billion.
