The added value of the CHF has been demonstrated again in 2016, combining flexibility and strategic focus, with the timely allocation of approximately $40 million for 66 projects, strengthening the leadership of the Humanitarian Coordinator and enabling humanitarian interventions and assessments by 38 partners (4 UN, 23 INGO, 11 NNGO), in alignment with the Strategic Objectives of the 2016 Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP).
An estimated US$59.3 million in contributions have been committed to the CHF-Afghanistan pooled fund in 2016 by eight key donors, dedicated to coordinated humanitarian action in Afghanistan. These commitments represent 117 per cent achievement towards the Fund’s annual target set at US$51 million (or 15 per cent of the revised 2016 HRP funding requirement) and 31 per cent of the HRP funding received ($194.2million).
A dedicated CHF contributor, the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DfID), has committed GBP£12 million per year to the Fund. In addition to this generous commitment, DFID has provided an additional GBP£5 million in support of the CHF and the Humanitarian Coordinator in 2016.
Another loyal supporter of the Fund since 2014, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) has provided approximately US$10.5 million, with two “top-ups” in addition to its annual contribution in 2016. Germany has also demonstrated its dedication to the flexible and timely pooled fund mechanism, providing a US$7.9 million top-up in December.
The Government of Switzerland is a new donor to the Fund in 2016, contributing US$1 million over the next 3 years, and the Government of Canada has also been expressed interest in the CHF-Afghanistan, however the amounts of this pledge is still unconfirmed