The Czech Republic participated in the 2013 High-Level Conference of the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), which was held on 13 December 2013 at the UN in New York. At this occasion, the Deputy Permanent Representative of the Czech Republic to the United Nations, Mr. David Červenka, delivered a statement on behalf of the Czech Republic. In his statement he reiterated the support of the Czech Republic for the CERF and informed that the Czech Government had decided to provide a voluntary contribution of 2.34 million CZK to CERF.

The Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) is a humanitarian fund established by the UN General Assembly in 2006 to facilitate timely humanitarian assistance. The fund is replenished annually through voluntary contributions from governments and other donors and constitutes a pool of reserve funding for humanitarian action.

The full version of the statement delivered by Mr. David Červenka, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Czech Republic to the United Nations, at the 2013 CERF conference:

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Madam Assistant Secretary-General,

The Czech Republic would like to express its continued support for the Central Emergency Response Fund and its key objectives. The timely release of funding for humanitarian action is life-saving. Since its inception, the CERF has enabled the provision of rapid humanitarian aid in many humanitarian emergencies, including most recently in the Philippines, which has been severely affected by the typhoon Haiyan. Funding of humanitarian activities in underfunded emergencies, which helps alleviate pressing humanitarian needs and supports the most vulnerable population, is equally important.

Since the establishment of the CERF in 2006 until today the Czech Republic has contributed 1.1 million USD to the Fund and will continue its financial support in the future. In this context I am pleased to inform you that the Government of the Czech Republic has recently approved a further voluntary contribution to the CERF of 2.34 million CZK, which corresponds approximately to 115,000 USD. This sum will be deposited to the CERF account in the coming days.

Madam Assistant Secretary-General, allow me to conclude by praising the role of OCHA and the Emergency Relief Coordinator Madam Amos in coordinating humanitarian relief operations and by wishing you a lot of success in your activities.

Thank you Madam Assistant Secretary-General.

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