The Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) held its annual pledging conference today (07 December 2018) at the UNHQ, New York.
Ambassador Dr. Amrith Rohan Perera, Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations noted that since the inception of CERF, Sri Lanka had contributed a sum of USD 90,000 and this year had increased its commitment by a sum of USD 5,000 from last year.
In commending CERF for its work, Dr. Perera stated that Sri Lanka places tremendous value on the pivotal role of CERF, in enhancing the ability of the humanitarian community to respond to populations affected by conflict, internal strife, and natural disasters. He highlighted the fact that in recent years Sri Lanka had been devastated by nature driven tragedies such as floods, landslides and a massive Tsunami of 2004 that killed 30,000 people, and that the nation was grateful that during these difficult times, Sri Lanka had been the beneficiary of CERF funding. Please see Ambassador Perera’s full statement below.
Sri Lanka Statement
Dr. Amrith Rohan Perera
Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in New York
High Level Conference of the Central Emergency Response fund
07 December 2018, UNHQ, New York
ECOSOC Chambers
10:00 AM - 01:00 PM
Mr. Chairperson
Sri Lanka commends the life-saving assistance that the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) facilitates around the world, and places tremendous value on the pivotal role of CERF, in enhancing the ability of the humanitarian community, to respond to populations affected by conflict, internal strife and natural disasters.
Today, we have reached new levels in human suffering. Forced migration, unparalleled displacements, increased adverse effects of climate change are among the main causes for such suffering. In this backdrop CERF has become a valuable mechanism to boost underfunded emergencies and provide rapid support enabling effective humanitarian action in a time of unprecedented turmoil and violent armed conflicts.
Sri Lanka too has not been without its disasters. These range from a protracted civil conflict that lasted 30 years that took a heavy toll on our economy, to an increase in natural disasters resulting in untold human suffering. In recent years Sri Lanka has been devastated by nature driven tragedies such as floods, landslides and a massive Tsunami of 2004 that killed 30,000 people. These and other disasters have had a negative impact on our country.
We are grateful that during these difficult times we have been the beneficiary of CERF funding through the UN system for rehabilitation, resettlement and humanitarian and disaster relief activities. We once again praise the work of CERF in providing relief to vulnerable communities and persons wherever and whenever it is needed.
Despite Sri Lanka’s severe financial constraints we have been committed to contributing to CERF regularly. Over the last 5 years our total contributions amount to about 90,000 USD. This is reflective of Sri Lanka’s continuing faith in and support for the humanitarian efforts of CERF.
This year as a demonstration of our continued confidence in this UN humanitarian support mechanism, and as a token of good will and appreciation for the dedicated work of CERF to help the most vulnerable among us, we are pleased to announce that Sri Lanka will make a modest contribution of USD $ 10,000 to CERF for the year 2019 - an increase of $5,000 from last year.
I thank you.