On December 17th, the General Representative of Flanders to the United States Geert De Proost, pledged 600.000 euro to the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) for 2016. The representative did this during the CERF high-level pledging conference in New York. Every year, UN - members and agencies, non-governmental organizations and other possible donors gather in the UN headquarters to pledge their - financial - support to CERF.
This year was a special edition because of the fund's 10th anniversary. But also in view of the first World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul in 2016 where the current humanitarian system will be reviewed, the conference is important to reaffirm international commitments.
As the Minister-president promised the then UN Coordinator for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Valerie Amos last May, the Government of Flanders doubles its annual contribution to 600,000 euros or 40% of the Flanders emergency budget for 2016. Through CERF, Flanders wants to contribute to predictable and rapidly deployable humanitarian assistance.
Flanders is one of the few decentralized states in the world which donates to CERF directly. Flanders hopes to be a role model for other regional and local authorities to also work directly with CERF. In his speech Representative De Proost called on CERF to generate sufficient visibility for these efforts so as to inspire others.
In his speech he also referred to Father Damian and the inauguration of the Father Damian Way in New York this year. This Flemish priest who devoted his life to the leprosy colony on the island of Molokai, is a symbol for respect for human rights, solidarity and emergency relief. His message is still relevant today, said Representative De Proost.
General Representation of the Government of Flanders in the United States
CERF publication "10 years of saving lives together"