Dublin, 9 December 2025 — Ireland has announced €21.5 million in new funding to the United Nations to bolster global rapid-response humanitarian efforts, as crises escalate in scale and complexity worldwide. Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora Neale Richmond confirmed the commitment today, noting that over 305 million people currently require humanitarian assistance across the globe.
The funding includes €16 million for the UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) for 2026 and €5.5 million for the CERF Climate Action Account, which supports communities affected by climate-driven disasters.
Supporting Rapid and Anticipatory Action
Minister Richmond said the funding will help the UN respond “quickly and effectively when communities are plunged into crisis,” referencing conflicts such as Sudan and Gaza as well as displacement caused by extreme weather. He highlighted Ireland’s longstanding role as a major CERF donor, currently ranking seventh globally.
CERF, managed by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), is the UN’s primary rapid response mechanism, capable of mobilising resources within hours of an emergency. Its mandate includes support for underfunded and neglected crises across Africa, Asia and Latin America — a focus that aligns with Ireland’s humanitarian priorities.
Longstanding Irish Support
Ireland has contributed more than €270 million to CERF since its establishment in 2006, backing the fund’s mission to deliver life-saving aid wherever it is most urgently needed. CERF now operates with an annual funding target of $1 billion and has allocated nearly $9.9 billion since 2005, assisting hundreds of millions of people in over 116 countries and territories.
UN WFP Humanitarian aid Flickr Picture by UN Peacekeeping Org
