The UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund increased support for people with disabilities
Finland has been a member of the Advisory Group for the UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF). Thanks to Finnish representatives’ advocacy efforts, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), which manages CERF, began to better recognise people with disabilities in its funding decisions.
Following this change, in 2020, CERF provided emergency assistance to 8.1 million people with disabilities, of whom 53 per cent were girls and women. The following year, CERF allocated special funding of USD 10 million to help people with disabilities. Among other activities, this funding has been used to improve water services, healthcare services and educational opportunities in Syria, Afghanistan, Nigeria, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mozambique and Venezuela.
Background
People with disabilities are the world’s largest marginalised group. It is estimated that 15 per cent of the world’s population has some form of disability, with the majority living in developing countries. The number of people with disabilities is expected to increase as conflicts and climate change-induced displacement rise.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) directs nearly a billion dollars annually to humanitarian work through its funds. Funding decisions now place special emphasis on the needs and rights of people with disabilities.
Impact of Finland’s development cooperation
In 2019, the recognition of the needs of people with disabilities in humanitarian crises was raised as one of Finland’s key humanitarian priorities. The goal has been for major humanitarian actors such as UN organisations to integrate disability inclusion into their strategies and country-level operations.
Finland has long been among the largest donors to CERF. In 2023, Finland supported CERF with a total of EUR 8 million, making it the fund’s 14th largest donor.