UN Allocates $160 Million from Central Emergency Response Fund for Underfunded Crises

The United Nations allocated $160 million from its Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) on October 2, 2026, to provide life-saving assistance across 12 underfunded humanitarian crises in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East.

The funding forms part of a broader global effort to support 87 million people experiencing severe humanitarian needs. Tom Fletcher, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, stated that the funding aims to reach individuals who might otherwise be left behind, while calling on global leaders to demonstrate the political will necessary to secure humanitarian access.

From the total amount, $150 million is directed toward response operations in 12 specific countries and territories:

* Afghanistan: $18 million
* Occupied Palestinian territory: $18 million
* Yemen: $18 million
* Somalia: $16 million
* Sudan: $16 million
* South Sudan: $15 million
* Burkina Faso: $10 million
* Mali: $10 million
* Niger: $10 million
* Chad: $9 million
* Cameroon: $6 million
* Cuba: $4 million

According to the UN, five of these regions—Afghanistan, the occupied Palestinian territory, South Sudan, Sudan, and Yemen—require urgent diplomatic efforts to unlock aid for approximately 11 million people.

The remaining $10 million of the allocation is designated to address the needs of people with disabilities across the 12 crises to improve the accessibility and inclusivity of humanitarian aid. This effort involves a partnership with the UN Global Disability Fund, which plans to provide up to $4 million in complementary funding and technical assistance through its Inclusion Catalyst Hub.

Managed by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), CERF allocates resources based on the analysis of over 100 humanitarian indicators and partner consultations. The latest release raises the total funds distributed by CERF in 2026 to $483 million.

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