76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly
High-Level Conference on the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF)
Statement by President of Estonia H.E. Mr. Alar Karis
December 8, 2021
Mr. Secretary-General, Excellences, ladies and gentlemen,
We are here today in a situation that we all hoped was over within a year. Sadly, this is not the case. New virus strain, named Omicron continues to haunt us, while the humanitarian needs are at all-time high. Unfortunately, COVID-19 has fundamentally reshaped the current landscape and it’s our role to find solutions to respond in a way that does not further exacerbate existing inequalities and thus stall future economic and social development.
The Central Emergency Response Fund cannot be praised highly enough. It has played an essential, life-saving role, enabling rapid humanitarian assistance to people in need as quickly and efficiently as possible. In 15 years, the CERF has rightfully earned the trust and confidence the UN Member States, who continue to show their commitments via pledges to the Fund. It is essential that CERF’s humanitarian partners will be able to continue to provide life-saving assistance, such as health care, water and sanitation, food assistance and nutrition support, shelter and protection, to crisis-affected people, when no other funding is available.
During our time in the Security Council for the past two years, we have seen horrific humanitarian situations up close. The reports our diplomats read and the country visits they have been to are a stark reminder of how necessary our work within the Fund is. Estonia, as the signatory to the Grand Bargain commitment, has been a long-standing contributor to the CERF. In fact, Estonia was the very first contributor to CERF.
Today, excellences, I am delighted to reaffirm our continuing support to the Fund. This year we donated 150 000 euros and we will continue with the same amount for the next year, an increase of 50% compared to our contribution in 2020. With ever-growing humanitarian needs and the unfortunate funding cap, we need all the help we can get to alleviate the ever-growing humanitarian needs.
I thank you.