In September 2024, the OCHA-managed Pooled Funds allocated grants across 19 countries amounting to $180.1 million to enable essential and life-saving humanitarian assistance. Of this amount, the Country-Based Pooled Funds (CBPF) allocated $87.7 million while the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) allocated $92.4 million.
For more information about allocations, see below and visit the CBPFs’ Data Hub, CERF's Data Hub and CERF's website. nd visit the CBPFs’ Data Hub, CERF's Data Hub and CERF's website.
CENTRAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE FUND
Allocations endorsed by the ERC, a.i. as of 30 September 2024
Allocations in focus: In September, the anticipatory action framework in Nepal was triggered following intense monsoon rains that are likely to result in severe floodings. Within minutes of the trigger being reached, CERF allocated $3.4 million to enable partners to get ahead of the floods and mitigate their impact through multi-purpose cash transfers, including for women at risk of gender-based violence (GBV); dignity and reproductive health kits; seed storage bags; water treatment and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facility rehabilitation; and psycho-social support. The anticipatory action framework in Chad also triggered in September following forecasts predicting heavy rains and flooding around the Chari River. The trigger released $5 million in CERF funding which is enabling more than 230,000 people to better cope with the impact of the floods through cash transfer assistance; targeted aid for pregnant women and GBV survivors; distribution of dignity and health kits; water treatment, seed storage; and psycho-social services.
By end September 2024, total income projections for 2024 remain at a worrying $524.6 million, the lowest level since 2017. Continued low funding will have direct and drastic consequences on the Fund’s ability to allocate funding in rapid-onset and underfunded crises until the of the year.
Fundraising for the CERF Climate Action Account continues. The Climate Account serves to scale CERF’s capacity for anticipatory action and humanitarian assistance in response to climate-related disasters. For more information see this flyer. Since its inception in 2006, CERF has allocated $2.5 billion in relation to climate hazards, which has enabled life-saving assistance for millions of people.
CERF Allocations
COUNTRY-BASED POOLED FUNDS
as of 30 September
Allocation in focus: Following the recent conflict escalation between Hezbollah and Israel, Lebanon is experiencing a wave of mass internal displacement, and thousands have been killed or injured in the final half of September alone. In response, the Lebanon Humanitarian Fund (LHF) has launched a $10 million allocation to address urgent humanitarian needs, focusing on ensuring flexible, lifesaving aid for the newly displaced, including those in collective shelters. Assistance will be delivered by the best-placed partners, including local and national NGOs, and will support a coordinated humanitarian response and help kick-start the $250 million Flash Appeal.
Contributions: Expected income to CBPFs, reached $838.3 million by the end of September 2024, thus gradually closing the gap with last year’s income of $900 million. The funding outlook for the funds in 2024 and 2025 remains of great concern.
CBPFs Allocations
Pooled Funds Story
Delivering assistance for women
Venezuela, Delta Amacuro.
Soila Palacios is a medical doctor and a native Warao from Delta Amacuro in the far east of the country. She is also an interpreter which makes her a critical member of the team at Venezuelan NGO El Paragüero which she regularly joins to translate between the Warao indigenous language and Spanish. Delta Amacuro was one of three states in 2023 to benefit from the Venezuela Humanitarian Fund’s focus on funding for indigenous communities. It is a poor region, where 66 per cent of people live in extreme poverty. The economic collapse in Venezuela has resulted in loss of livelihoods, food insecurity, and a lack of basic services. Dr. Palacios knows this area and people well. Some villages take four hours to reach by boat. Dr. Palacios explains that many people feel comfortable telling her things in Warao that they would not share in Spanish, or with someone who only spoke Spanish. Many of the most vulnerable people are forced to reduce meals or engage in other negative coping activities for survival.
Dr. Palacios supports a project for women funded by the Venezuela Humanitarian Fund and implemented by El Paragüero together with HIAS (an international faith-based Jewish organization that works with refugees). The project aims to reach 70 per cent of the women here with protection, livelihoods, and health support. Protection work is crucial and includes legal counselling to obtain birth registration; improving systems to prevent trafficking and GBV; and strengthening child protection. A significant driver of food insecurity is the loss of local fishing knowledge and other ‘traditional’ activities, and food security interventions include training on fishing, handicrafts, and local food processing. Health assistance focuses on training staff, including midwives, and strengthening community-based health surveillance, so that people look out for each other and can refer them to the clinic when needed.
Dr. Palacios sees her role as more than work. “As a translator, I help empower and support indigenous people here, especially the most vulnerable,” she explains. For example, during training on fishing or food processing, Dr. Palacios is on hand to translate and make sure women’s questions are raised and answered clearly. Her presence makes the women more comfortable to ask questions, and she helps them get the answers they’re looking for. With her linguistic expertise and deep understanding of the communities, Dr. Palacios helps ensure the respectful integration of diverse cultures, the full participation of indigenous people in all phases of the project, and successful outcomes for women.
More information on the VHF: Venezuela Humanitarian Fund | OCHA (unocha.org)