Portugal Reaffirms Strong Support to CERF and Highlights the Need for Faster and More Anticipatory Humanitarian Response

At the High-Level Annual Pledging Conference of the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), held in New York, Portugal renewed its commitment to a more agile, predictable and effective humanitarian system at a time when global needs are at a record high.

Portugal stressed that humanitarian crises are becoming increasingly protracted and complex, while resources remain critically scarce. In this challenging global landscape, CERF continues to play an essential role by enabling rapid and coordinated humanitarian action where it is needed most. Thus, Portugal has steadily increased its annual contribution to CERF in recent years, reflecting its deep commitment to a more flexible and results-oriented humanitarian system.

CERF allocations supported by Portugal have provided life-saving assistance to populations affected by severe crises in Yemen, Syria, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Haiti, and Afghanistan, among others — delivering vital aid to communities facing conflict, natural hazards and acute food insecurity.

Responding to calls for more predictable and sustainable funding, Portugal advanced in 2025 the contribution usually disbursed at year’s end, ensuring earlier availability of resources for critical operations. The country also confirmed that additional contributions will follow in 2026, aligned with national humanitarian priorities.

Portugal concluded by reaffirming that, in a period of profound global transformation and rising humanitarian needs, its commitment to multilateralism and principled humanitarian action remains unwavering. It emphasized the importance of strengthening CERF’s capacity to respond quickly to emergencies and to promote solutions that save lives, reduce vulnerabilities and uphold human dignity.