2019 CERF high-Level pledging event

 

 

2019 CERF High-level Pledging Event
A Fund for All, by All

Carla Mucavi, Director, FAO Liaison Office with the United Nations in New York

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

CERF is a lifeline for farmers, herders and fishers affected by humanitarian crisis. To save lives and prevent hunger, we must protect the livelihoods of millions of vulnerable people reliant on agriculture.

Let me thank CERF and its donors for the sustained and vital support provided to FAO. In 2019 FAO has been the fourth largest recipient of CERF funding, and we have continued to strengthen our partnership with OCHA, building on our respective expertise to ensure the fastest, most effective response to crises.

Each year, CERF funding enables FAO to help millions of people hit by crises to continue producing and accessing food despite violence and natural disasters. CERF is consistently among the top donors to FAO’s humanitarian programme. In 2019, it has allowed FAO to reach around 4 million vulnerable people in 32 countries.  CERF enables fast, coordinated and time-critical response, which is essential for FAO to meet planting season deadlines or keep livestock alive at critical times.

Over the last few years, the scale and frequency of humanitarian crises demands innovative approaches. FAO is a strong advocate for anticipatory action on the basis that protecting agriculture-based livelihoods ahead of disasters can mitigate and prevent food crises and reduce humanitarian needs.

FAO reiterates that a CERF anticipatory modality is a critical complement to the current system and is best placed to support inter agency anticipatory action thanks to its speed and efficiency in allocating funds. This is essential given the limited window of opportunity to implement early action.   FAO continues to work closely with OCHA, the World Bank, WFP and other partners in developing this anticipatory modality.

Thank you for your attention.