Permanent Mission of the Republic of Armenia
to the United Nations
119E 36th street, New York, NY 10016
Tel.: 1-212-686-9079
Fax: 1-212-686-3934
E-mail: armenia@un.int
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March 10, 2006

PRESS RELEASE

ARMENIA AMONG THE FOUNDING DONORS OF THE MODERNIZED CERF

Armenia was among the first 31 countries to pledge financial support in the
amount of 5000 USD to the United Nations upgraded Central Emergency Response
Fund (CERF), which was officially launched yesterday, on March 9, at the
United Nations Headquarters in New York. The pledges totaled over $256
million, which would enable the Fund to make immediate deployment of
assistance.

At the 2005 Summit the world leaders mandated to take steps to improve the
humanitarian response system, including through timely and predictable
funding. On December 15, 2005, as part of its resolution on “Strengthening
the Coordination of the Emergency Humanitarian Assistance of the United
Nations,” the General Assembly approved by consensus resolution establishing
the new Fund. The Member-States decided to upgrade the existing Central
Emergency Revolving Fund into the Central Emergency Response Fund by
including a grant element of $450 million, funded by voluntary
contributions, in order to ensure a more rapid response to humanitarian
crisis.

In a statement made at the official launch of the modernized CERF, Armenia
stated: “The upgrading of the existing CERF and adding the grant element
will help launch life-saving relief operations. The Fund will provide the
needed tools to better meet the challenges of today’s world when rapid
response to sudden onset emergencies in crucial hours of a crisis becomes
the test of international community’s readiness and resolve to combat common
disasters.” Furthermore, it noted that” “Having a new stand-by fund would
allow this organization to use prevention where and when possible, in
recurring emergencies, as well as in stopping a crisis from spilling out of
control.” It also emphasized: “It is through collective action and continued
and demonstrable support that we will succeed in improving global
humanitarian system and make difference for people in need.”

Among the dignitaries that attended the high-level gathering on the launch
of the Fund were UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Prime Minister of Grenada,
Minister of State for External Affairs of India, Secretary of State for
International Development of the United Kingdom, Minister for Development
Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs of Luxembourg, State Secretary for
International Development Cooperation of Sweden and State Secretary of
Norway.

END