Total 2025 Allocations (US$)
$99.5M
Countries Assisted with 2025 Allocations
6
In January 2025, the OCHA-managed Pooled Funds allocated grants to six countries for a total of $99.5 million to enable essential and life-saving humanitarian assistance. Of this amount, the Country-Based Pooled Funds (CBPF) allocated $74 million, while the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) allocated $25.5 million.
In addition to these allocations, CERF continues to advance anticipatory action, with the Emergency Relief Coordinator (ERC) approving a $6 million framework for cyclones in Mozambique on 17 January. Efforts are also underway to develop new frameworks for drought response in Afghanistan and Ethiopia.
For more information about allocations, see below and visit the CBPFs’ Data Hub, CERF's Data Hub and CERF's website.
CENTRAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE FUND
Allocations endorsed by the ERC as of 31 January 2025
January Allocations (US$)
$25.5M
Total 2025 Allocations (US$)
$25.5M
Countries Assisted with Allocations in January
3
Allocations in focus: In January, CERF approved an $8 million top-up to its initial $12 million allocation to Syria in October 2024. This additional funding comes at a pivotal moment as Syria navigates a complex transition following the fall of the Assad regime. While this shift presents opportunities for recovery and stability, it also brings new humanitarian challenges that require urgent attention. The top-up expands CERF’s support to address critical gaps beyond the initial focus of the allocation, and it will enable targeted interventions in assessment and displacement tracking, education, demining and explosive ordnance risk education, food security and health. These sectors are essential to ensuring a safe and sustainable environment for affected populations, strengthening resilience, and mitigating risks during this period of transition.
Contributions: By end of January, contributions to the Central Emergency Relief Fund amounted to $385 million, compared to $434 million at the same time last year. This year’s income projection for CERF started at a low level as key donors announced funding cuts. Efforts have been increased to secure additional contributions from both long-term and new partners to address the anticipated shortfall.
CERF Allocations
COUNTRY-BASED POOLED FUNDS
Allocations launched by 31 January 2025
January Allocations (US$)
$74M
Total 2025 Allocations (US$)
$74M
Countries Assisted with Allocations in January
3
Allocation in focus: The humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is deepening amid worsening conflict, climate shocks, and multiple epidemics, leaving nearly 6.4 million people displaced. Many crisis-affected communities remain without assistance due to funding shortfalls in humanitarian operations, logistical barriers, and insecurity. To bridge these gaps, the DRC Humanitarian Fund allocated $4.7 million to deliver targeted, life-saving assistance in underserved areas, supporting food security, safe water, emergency shelter, health, and protection services, including for gender-based violence survivors and vulnerable children. With this allocation, the Fund aims to ensure a cohesive and comprehensive response that addresses immediate needs and safeguards the dignity of the most affected communities.
Recognizing the high climate vulnerability of the DRC, the Fund simultaneously allocated $1.3 million through a 48-hour rapid response initiative for prepositioned resources to enable a coordinated, life-saving response within two days of flooding. This allocation will cover emergency shelter, food, clean water, and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) interventions, while also investing in drainage systems and community training to strengthen long-term flood resilience.
Contributions: By end of January, total contributions to the Country-based Pooled Funds reached $247 million compared to $173 million received last year. Of this amount, $138 million are part of multi-year agreements from nine donors which ensure continuity for the first months of the year for all of the funds.
CBPFs Allocations
Pooled Funds Impact Story
Expanding water and hygiene best practices in vulnerable districts
Yemen, Amran governorate.
Fatima, a 36-year-old midwife who works in the village of Al Aridah in As Sawd District, was worried about the health of the mothers and children she supports.
The health of the villagers was poor, and levels of illness high, in large part due to the lack of safe water and information on best practices. “The health situation was unacceptable,” explains Fatima. “Children were sick with diarrhoea, making the malnutrition crisis even worse.”
The village lacks adequate clean water, leaving many residents without safe drinking water. As a result, most households resort to using any water they can: unfortunately, though, this is often contaminated and causes illness.
“The lack of clean water here is a long-standing problem,” says Fatima. Those who can afford it pay for water trucking. But this is an expensive luxury - the water trucks charge high fees.
With support from Yemen Humanitarian Fund (YHF), CARE has been getting the word out about better hygiene practices.
CARE shared hygiene awareness information with 22,000 people in the As Sawd sub-district, through sessions on handwashing, personal hygiene, water purification, prevention of cholera and COVID-19, human waste disposal, and the risks of open defecation to public health.
To spread the message, ten volunteers, including Fatima, conducted hygiene trainings for people in the area. Fatima learned a lot herself – and it’s knowledge she can pass on to her patients.
"Since I’ve had the training and started sharing what I know, I have noticed fewer kids getting sick in the health centre where I work," says Fatima. "Now we have a clear vision of creating a healthier future for patients.”
More information from the Yemen Humanitarian Fund.
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