Allocation of Underfunded Emergencies Grants

CERF grant allocations are made for two reasons:

1. To ensure a rapid response to sudden-onset emergencies or to rapidly deteriorating conditions in an existing emergency.
2. To support humanitarian response activities within an underfunded emergency.

One third of CERF grants are earmarked for underfunded emergencies.

Twice a year, the ERC allocates to selected countries grants from the underfunded emergencies window. The ERC selects countries based on a number of criteria, including the level of funding, humanitarian needs, risk and vulnerability; UN agencies’ recommendations; consultations with UN agencies, NGOs and different parts of OCHA; and a review of documents such as Humanitarian Needs Overviews.

The ERC informs the RC/HC of a selected country about CERF funding levels potentially available for that country. The ERC then invites the RC/HC to develop a clearly prioritized, implementable and focused strategy for the CERF grant and to identify and submit projects that could qualify for underfunded emergency allocations. The RC/HC and the Humanitarian Country Team identify potential humanitarian projects. Following the RC/HC’s submission of the strategy and projects, the ERC decides whether to allocate the requested funds.
 
While NGOs cannot directly receive funds from CERF, they should be actively involved in the process.

NGOs may prioritize and recommend sectors, geographical areas, or projects to be included in the CERF request. This is done through their participation in the HCT, cluster or sector coordination or in similar mechanisms. 

NGOs also often serve as implementing partners for CERF-funded projects. 

For countries with a Humanitarian Needs Overview and with Humanitarian Response Plan or similar humanitarian strategy, the RC/HC may use the HNO's needs assessment and the HRP's strategic priorities, cluster objectives and projects to inform the CERF application. In countries with an HRP, the CERF underfunded emergencies window can only fund HRP projects.