INVITATION TO MARCH 9 LAUNCH OF UPGRADED CERF

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000347

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID PHUM UN
SUBJECT: INVITATION TO MARCH 9 LAUNCH OF UPGRADED CERF



1. Mission received the following letter of invitation from
Jan Egeland, UN Under Secretary General for Humanitarian
Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, addressed to Mr.
Frederick Schieck, Acting Administrator, USAID, Mr. William
Garvelink, Senior Deputy Asssistant Administrator, USAID, and
Ms. Ellen Sauerbrey, Assistant Secretary of PRM. Exact text
of letter follows in para 2 below. The originals have been
sent by e-mail to USAID and PRM.


2. Begin text:

Mr. Frederick Schieck
Acting Administrator
US Agency for International Development
Washington, DC.

Mr. William Garvelink
Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator
US Agency for International Development
Washington, DC.

Ms. Ellen R. Sauerbrey
Assistant Secretary of
Population, Refugees and Migration
Department of State
Washington, DC

17 February 2006

The Secretary-General has the honour of inviting you to a
high-level meeting to launch the upgraded Central Emergency
Response Fund (CERF) on 9 March 2006 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00
noon at the United Nations in New York. The launch will mark
the official commencement of operations of the CERF, the Fund
established by the General Assembly on 15 December 2005
through resolution A/RES/60/124.

The establishment of the Fund is a major step forward in
ensuring a more predictable and timely humanitarian response,
and thereby displays our shared global responsibility for the
victims of conflict and natural disasters. To that end, we
are proud to announce that since the inception of the Fund
several Governments have indicated generous commitments
(presently $187 million),and in some cases have made cash
transfers (presently $140 million). Yet, more is needed to
reach the common goal of $500 million as endorsed by the
General Assembly. We count on the support of Governments, the
private sector, and the media in reaching this important
objective at the launch on 9 March.

I would like to thank you for the political support already
expressed for the establishment of the CERF during General
Assembly deliberations. I also welcome the initial
indications that your Government may wish to extend this
support with a financial pledge and hope that you will soon
join the group of contributors to the Fund.

I look forward to your participation in this high-level
event. To register for the Launch, I would be grateful if
your office could complete and return the attached
registration form.

Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest
consideration.

s/s

Jan Egeland
Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and
Emergency Relief Coordinator
BOLTON