UN FUND AND PRIVATE FIRM ENCOURAGE COMPANIES TO SUPPORT HUMANITARIAN CAUSES

UN FUND AND PRIVATE FIRM ENCOURAGE COMPANIES TO SUPPORT HUMANITARIAN CAUSES

A partnership between the United Nations humanitarian office and a major financial services company unveiled today is urging the corporate world to raise $500,000 in honour of the fifth anniversary of a UN fund that ensures timely assistance to people affected by natural disasters and conflicts.

To meet or exceed a fundraising goal of $500,000, the Western Union Foundation will match all new corporate donations to the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) dollar-for-dollar up to $250,000.

"CERF is invaluable. It is the first port of call when immediate injections of cash are needed to kick-start the response during new crises," said Valerie Amos, the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs.

"The matching grant challenge by Western Union will go a long way to raise awareness for our efforts, and the donations will help ensure that a pool of funds is available for relief work within hours after a disaster strikes, anywhere around the globe," she said.

A trust fund created by the General Assembly and managed by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), CERF relies on voluntary contributions by UN Member States, individuals and the private sector.

Last year, CERF allocated more than $276 million for a quick response in 37 countries and more than $139 million for under-funded emergencies in 17 countries, including Yemen, Chad and Eritrea, where chronic humanitarian needs persist.

"CERF can be there to provide relief during so-called silent emergencies, and to ensure a coordinated response to major disasters," said Hikmet Ersek, Western Union's chief executive officer. "Aid agencies should not have to pass the hat when lives hang in the balance. We encourage corporations across the globe to join us in making a difference by having funding at the ready, before crisis strikes."