New york: The State of Kuwait has announced a renewal of its voluntary contribution to the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) for 2026, committing USD 1 million. This pledge was made by Faisal Al-Enezi, Deputy Permanent Representative of the State of Kuwait to the United Nations, during a high-level CERF pledging event at the UN headquarters.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Al-Enezi highlighted the increasing humanitarian needs driven by the rapid spread of armed conflicts and climate-related disasters. He noted that over 300 million people required some form of humanitarian assistance last year alone. During his speech, Al-Enezi emphasized the CERF's role as a critical model for rapid and life-saving responses.
He expressed gratitude towards UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher for their leadership in supporting the international humanitarian system. Al-Enezi stressed the urgent need to raise USD 1 billion annually for the Fund, citing the slowdown in funding for humanitarian appeals and the growing global needs.
The Kuwaiti diplomat reaffirmed Kuwait's commitment to backing international humanitarian efforts and its role as a reliable partner in alleviating human suffering. The CERF facilitates quick funding to humanitarian responders and ensures balanced emergency assistance, aiming for rapid responses to sudden emergencies or worsening conditions in ongoing crises.