India to contribute $500,000 to support global humanitarian relief

Pledging to contribute USD 500,000 to a UN rapid response funding mechanism for 2015-16, India has reiterated its support for global humanitarian relief operations. Having contributed USD 500,000 to the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) in 2014, India announced a similar contribution for 2015-16.

“India has been in the forefront of humanitarian action. India has been responding to several global humanitarian relief operations in keeping with our resources and capabilities…India has endeavoured to be the early responders in cases of humanitarian crisis,” First Secretary in the Indian Mission to the UN Abhishek Singh said at the 10th anniversary high-level pledging conference on December 17.

India has also contributed USD10 million to the Ebola Trust Fund and helped in evacuating Indians as well as many foreign nationals from war-torn Yemen in 2015. With an emphasis on India’s contribution to global humanitarian relief, Mr Singh mentioned that the relief and rescue work provided by India in the aftermath of earthquake in Nepal this year was done in consultation and coordination with the Nepal government.

Reassuring India’s support to the efforts of CERF, India has pledged to continue all help in alleviating the suffering of people resulting from humanitarian emergencies.
“Humanitarian emergencies require immediate attention. Any delay in providing assistance can have long- term consequences. There is indeed a need for coordination and partnership to meet these challenges,” Mr Singh said. The CERF was set up by the General Assembly in December 2005 to bring immediate relief in natural and man-made disasters and save thousands of lives that would otherwise be lost to delay.

India has been increasing its contribution to support global humanitarian relief operations over the years. India’s growing economic stature has made it easier to pledge financial support to global humanitarian relief operations. With India aspiring to become a permanent member in an expanded UN Security Council, it is playing a more prominent role by pledging more to humanitarian aid and international development.

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