UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Tuesday urged the international community to step up support for the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), describing it as a “global emergency lifeline” that has proven its ability to deliver fast, flexible and equitable assistance in the most challenging crises.

The high-level pledging event was held a day after the UN launched its 2026 global humanitarian appeal, which calls for $23 billion to reach 87 million people in the most desperate need across 50 countries.

Since 2006, the CERF has allocated nearly $10 billion in more than 110 countries through rapid and strategic financing that often arrives before other sources of support, saving countless lives in the process.