Food aid for Ethiopian refugees in Gedaref, East Sudan. (Photo: AFP/VNA)

This year's pledge is the highest amount committed to CERF at a pledging event, compared to the 372 million USD pledged one year ago for 2021, and surpassing the previous record of 438.5 million USD pledged for 2019, according to the fund’s statement. Several donors announced top-ups for 2021, bringing overall funding this year to CERF to 610 million USD, it added.

In his remarks at the hybrid, high-level pledging event, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said CERF is a proven success story. CERF is fast and flexible and it is one of the most effective ways to get help to people in crises, he said.