United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund

Today I announce Australia will provide further funding for life-saving humanitarian assistance to the victims of armed conflict and natural disasters.

The Australian Government will contribute $10.7 million to the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) in 2016.

The CERF's rapid response facility ensures funds are immediately available to relief organisations, allowing them to deliver food, drinking water and medical supplies quickly and efficiently.

Each year, the CERF provides more than 20 million people with life-saving health treatments, 10 million people with life-sustaining food and 8 million people access to clean water and sanitation.

Australia is the 10th largest donor to the CERF having made contributions of $134.7 million over the past decade.

The world humanitarian system is facing unprecedented crisis, with 60 million displaced people in the world currently in need of humanitarian assistance.

In light of these challenges, partners will meet at the United Nations first ever World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul in May 2016 to help improve the humanitarian system and ensure it remains able to meet the needs of those affected by crises.