The United Nations Women has received US$5 million to reach 400,000 more women, girls and their family members in five conflict- and crisis-affected countries

The United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) has granted the UN Women USD 5 million being funds for the provision of life-saving and critical services for women and girls affected by conflict and crisis across five countries.  

The funds have been channeled through the first-ever Central Emergency Response Fund’s Gender Equality Envelope.

The money in the funding envelope will enable UN Women to reach 400,000 more women, girls and their family members in the five troubled countries of Haiti, Mali, Mozambique, Myanmar, and Syria.

They will be provided with access to safe spaces, psychosocial care, protection services and referrals, dignity kits, emergency cash and livelihood assistance.  

The funds also will enable UN Women to strengthen the services provided by women’s organizations working on the frontlines of humanitarian response. 

The investment comes as humanitarian needs are rising and resources are shrinking, which has put immense pressure on essential services and local women’s organizations sustaining them.  

Women and girls are disproportionately affected by humanitarian crises, as conflict and displacement deepen existing inequalities and disrupt essential services and livelihoods.

They face greater risks of violence and exploitation, worsened by the loss of access to protection, health care, education, and safe shelter.

They also are responsible for caring for children and the elderly, with fewer opportunities to earn an income. 

The CERF Gender Equality Funding Envelope is an important step towards making humanitarian financing more responsive to the needs of women and girls and strengthening a more locally led response that recognizes women as both recipients of assistance and leaders in shaping how their communities respond to crisis.