CERF High Level Pledging Event for 2022 - Icelandic statement

Central Emergency Response Fund High-level Pledging Event for 2022

Statement by Þórdís Kolbrún R. Gylfadóttir,

Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Development Cooperation of Iceland

Mr. Chair,

It is an honour to participate in this event, celebrating the 15th anniversary of the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund.

Let me begin by commending the work undertaken by CERF to deliver life-saving assistance for those in need around the world. Humanitarian needs are increasing in both magnitude and complexity. This unfortunate situation is compounded by the climate crisis and the pandemic. The Fund plays an important role in allowing humanitarian actors to respond quickly and effectively when the need arises.

Indeed, the Fund has an important prerogative in promoting fast, coordinated, and effective humanitarian response, in addition to directing resources to underfunded emergencies. To allow for predictable annual allocations, Iceland entered last year into its second multi-year framework agreement with CERF.

In line with this framework, I am pleased to confirm Iceland’s allocation to the fund for 2022, in amount of fifty million ISK.

In addition, given the unprecedented circumstances we are confronted with, I am happy to announce an additional allocation of 45 million ISK to the Fund for 2021. This will bring our total contribution this year to 95 million.

Mr. Chair,

As a firm believer in the sanctity of human rights and a tireless advocate for the the cause of gender equality, I want to take this opportunity to highlight the importance of a systematic focus on women and girls. There is no denying that in humanitarian crises, women and girls become increasingly vulnerable to gender-based violence and other forms of exploitation, and when the level of poverty and hunger rises, women and girls are usually disproportionately affected.

I would therefore like to conclude by thanking Mr. Griffiths for the CERF’s enhanced focus on these critical issues and ensure you of Iceland´s continued support in this regard.

I thank you.