New York: The United Nations has released $160 million from its Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to support life-saving humanitarian operations in 12 severely underfunded crises across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. The allocation was announced on

The funding is part of a wider UN effort to provide assistance to 87 million people facing some of the world’s most serious humanitarian needs this year. UN humanitarian officials have stressed that financial support must be accompanied by greater access for aid workers and fewer operational obstacles.

Of the total allocation, $150 million is being directed toward emergency responses in Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Cuba, Mali, Niger, the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Yemen.

Afghanistan, the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Yemen are each receiving $18 million, while Somalia and Sudan are receiving $16 million each. South Sudan has been allocated $15 million, while Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger will each receive $10 million.

The remaining $10 million has been earmarked specifically to address urgent needs of people with disabilities across the 12 humanitarian crises and to make relief operations more accessible and inclusive.

The CERF allocation comes at a time when humanitarian organisations are facing major funding shortages. UN officials have warned that millions of people could remain without essential assistance if financial gaps and restrictions on humanitarian access are not addressed.

Five of the crises receiving funding—Afghanistan, the Occupied Palestinian Territory, South Sudan, Sudan and Yemen—have also been identified as situations where diplomatic action is needed to improve humanitarian access.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs manages CERF, which is designed to provide rapid funding for emergencies and crises that struggle to attract sufficient international financial support.

The latest allocation brings the total amount provided through CERF during 2026 to $483 million. Funding decisions are based on assessments involving more than 100 humanitarian indicators and consultations with humanitarian partners.

The UN’s latest move highlights the growing challenge of responding to multiple humanitarian emergencies at the same time. Conflicts, displacement, food insecurity and limited access to essential services continue to place pressure on relief organisations across several regions.

The $160 million allocation gives humanitarian agencies additional resources to respond to some of the world’s most underfunded emergencies, but the UN’s warning is clear: funding alone cannot resolve the crises. Ensuring safe humanitarian access and sustained international support will be crucial if aid is to reach the millions of people facing severe needs.