Pooled Funds

Month allocations (US$)

$34.7 million
Total allocations (US$)

$34.7 million
Countries assisted with allocations

9

Allocations endorsed by the ERC

As of end January 2024, OCHA Pooled Funds allocated $31.7 million to enable partners to respond to humanitarian crises. This included complementary CERF and South Sudan Humanitarian Fund allocations to respond to the dramatic rise in refugees from Sudan. Complementary allocations from CERF and CBPFs were made in the Occupied Palestinan Territory to enable UNRWA and other partners to deliver critical, lifesaving assistance to the most vulnerable. In January, CBPFs also launched an allocation in Syria and CERF provided funding to Mozambique, the Republic of Congo, Timor-Leste, Mauritania and Zambia.

CENTRAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE FUND

Month allocations (US$)

$22.7 million
Total allocations (US$)

$22.7 million
Countries assisted with allocations

6

as of 31 January

Contributions

For 2024, CERF secured $434 million in funding, compared to $453 million at the same time last year. Given the low level of income secured in 2023 (the lowest since 2018), CERF starts the year with a reduced cash reserve, which will impact the Fund’s response capacity in the coming period, including the first Underfunded Emergencies (UFE) round for 2024, which at at $100 million will be the lowest since 2018.

Mauritania ($3 million) (Rapid Response) - On 31 January, the Emergency Relief Coordinator (ERC) allocated $3 million from CERF's rapid response window for life-saving humanitarian activities for 38,000 people, including Malian refugees and host populations.

Mozambique ($1.5 million) (Rapid Response) - The ERC allocated $1.5 million from CERF’s rapid response window for life-saving humanitarian action in response to Mozambique’s worst cholera outbreak in 25 years.

Republic of Congo ($3.6 million) (Rapid Response) - On 17 January, the ERC allocated $3.6 million from CERF's rapid response window for life-saving humanitarian action to support around 270,000 people who have been affected by severe flooding in the Republic of Congo in December 2023. This allocation complements the Government response plan, which requires $26.4 million to address the needs of over 300,000 people.

South Sudan ($10 million) (Rapid Response) - The ERC allocated $10 million to South Sudan to respond to the needs of 260,000 refugees and returnees from Sudan. The funding will contribute to alleviating congestion in transit centers and reducing the risk of waterborne diseases in these areas.

Timor-Leste ($2.1 million) (Rapid Response) -The ERC allocated $2.08 million from the rapid response window, to kick-start the response to implement and scale up anticipatory action activities ahead of the imminent and severe drought and to respond to existing needs. A total of 28,592 people will benefit from these activities.

Zambia ($2.5 million) (Rapid Response) -The Emergency allocated $2.5 million from CERF’s rapid response window, to respond to the current cholera outbreak and to provide humanitarian assistance to affected vulnerable people.

COUNTRY-BASED POOLED FUNDS

Month Allocations (US$)

$12 million
Total allocations (US$)

$12 million
Countries assisted with allocations

3

as of 31 January

Contributions

Total contributions to CBPFs reached $197 million by the end of January, which is well above the $150 million recorded at the same time last year. As part of recorded 2024 income, $150 million were secured in multi-year agreements from ten donors. These predictable and timely contributions remain key for a well-functioning and effective humanitarian response.

Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) ($3.5 million) - The OPT Humanitarian Fund allocated $3.5 million to UNRWA to facilitate delivery of lifesaving assistance to the most vulnerable through the procurement of trucks operational at the crossing points, including in Rafah and Kerem Shalom.

South Sudan ($6 million) - The South Sudan Humanitarian Fund is allocating $6 million for life-saving assistance including water, sanitation, nutrition and health services and to facilitate the onward transportation of returnees and refugees to decongest transit areas. This allocation is time-critical in managing the mass displacement and complements earlier allocations, including by CERF, in providing essential services for those displaced.

Syria ($2.5 million) - The Syria Humanitarian Fund is allocating $2.5 million towards the emergency rehabilitation of the water network and pumping stations in Al Bab. Improving the limited functionality of water and sanitation systems in Syria aims to prevent a cholera outbreak.

"South-Sudan Humanitarian Fund remains the most flexible mechanism to support timely and effective humanitarian response in South Sudan."
-Ms. Sara Baysolow Nyanti, Humanitarian Coordinator for South Sudan

Localisation

CBPFs work more and more with local and national Actors (L/NAs) on the delivery of life-saving assistance. In 2023, out of the total $1.1 billion allocated by CBPFs, over $418 million – or almost 40 per cent - went to L/NAs. It is a significant increase compared to the previous years. With the increased focus on localisation, the upwards trend of CBPF funding to L/NAs is expected to continue in 2024.

The Sudan Humanitarian Fund Impact Story

In conflict and disaster, it is often local organisations who quickly and effectively respond to the needs of their community. Sudan Humanitarian Fund partner HOPE Sudan is one of many such Sudanese organisations.

Since fighting began in April, about 5.25 million people have been newly displaced inside and outside Sudan. They face hunger, a lack of basic supplies, and severe protection risks. Across the country, 24.7 million people need humanitarian assistance.

Central Darfur is hosting about 265,000 displaced people, despite fierce clashes there between Sudan’s warring parties. People who fled conflict elsewhere are living with relatives or within host communities, and basic services – including water and sanitation – are severely stretched.

In Bindisi and Zalingie, HOPE has been working to improve water and sanitation services so that everyone can access safe water. To identify and respond to problems, they established a complaints mechanisms for the community to use. An important outcome of this has been the protection sessions they have conducted, to raise awareness of risks related to gender-based violence, sexual exploitation and abuse.

White Nile State is also hosting thousands of people who have fled fighting in Khartoum.

Alongside their work in WASH and protection, HOPE Sudan is providing about 1,000 families there with cash-based transfers. With support from the Sudan Humanitarian Fund, people receive cash assistance to help them buy what they need, including food, basic household supplies, or critical medicines.