29 May 2012: The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) has released the annual report of the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), which provides coordinated humanitarian response to countries in crises. The report highlights that climate-related emergencies tops all categories of humanitarian assistance, with $149 million provided in financial assistance.

The report details the early response activities the Fund has provided to several crisis faced by countries, including the contribution of more than US$ 427 million across 45 countries and territories in 2011. It indicates that climate-related emergencies, including the impact of droughts, floods and storms, expose the poor and the most vulnerable to long-term health risks, and disrupt livelihoods and well-be­ing. It highlights that almost of a quarter of CERF funds in 2011 was allocated to drought-related emergencies in eight countries, and projects responding to floods and storms emergencies in 11 countries received about $51 million.

In 2011, the largest humanitarian emergency was to respond to the drought and food insecurity in the Horn of Africa, which included interventions in the areas of food distribution, addressing basic nutrition needs, agriculture production, water and sanitation, education and health, and provision of shelter. [Publication: 2011 Annual Report: UN Central Emergency Response Fund, UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs] [UN Press Release]