India contributes $500,000 to UN humanitarian fund

UNITED NATIONS: India has announced a $ 500,000 contribution to a UN humanitarian fund as part of its commitment towards assisting an increasing number of people around the globe in need of humanitarian assistance.

"At the moment, we are facing unprecedented number of mega humanitarian crisis. We believe there is a significant need for broad and inclusive partnerships to meet these challenges, and to strengthen the coordination of humanitarian assistance," First Secretary in India's mission to the UN Abhishek Singh said at a high-level conference on the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) here.

India has already contributed $ five million to CERF and Singh announced another contribution of $ 500,000 for 2014-15.

Singh conveyed "India's firm commitment to doing its utmost to contribute towards assisting an increasing number of people around the globe in need of humanitarian assistance, often in complex and protracted situations.

"We remain confident that collectively we will be able to effectively contribute to addressing these challenges through enhanced cooperation and by fostering broad consensus among Member States on the promotion of effective and inclusive humanitarian action," he added.

In the latest report on CERF, the Emergency Relief coordinator approved the grants totalling $ 482 million to 45 countries and territories in 2013.

Funds were transferred to wide ranging sectors like food, health, water and sanitation.