Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora, Neale Richmond, announced €21.5 million in funding to the United Nations to support rapid humanitarian responses worldwide. The contribution includes €16 million to the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) for 2026 and an additional €5.5 million to the CERF Climate Action Account. This funding comes amid a global humanitarian crisis, with over 305 million people currently in need of assistance.
Minister Richmond highlighted that Ireland’s support will enable the UN to respond swiftly and effectively to emergencies, including high-profile conflicts in Sudan and Gaza, as well as crises caused by climate-related disasters. He emphasized Ireland’s focus on underfunded and neglected crises and its leadership in anticipatory action and climate-smart humanitarian responses, positioning CERF at the center of the global humanitarian system.
CERF, managed by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), serves as the UN’s primary rapid response mechanism for major humanitarian emergencies. Since its inception in 2006, CERF has provided life-saving assistance across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, supporting hundreds of millions of people in over 116 countries and territories. Ireland has contributed more than €270 million to CERF, making it the seventh largest donor per capita and a long-standing supporter of the Fund.
The €21.5 million contribution underscores Ireland’s continued commitment to global humanitarian assistance and reinforces CERF’s capacity to deliver rapid and effective aid in crises, ensuring vulnerable populations receive critical support when it is needed most.
