Danish unearmarked funds save refugees worldwide
Contributions to UNHCR
In 2017, Denmark affirmed its key partnership with UNHCR by signing a new 5-year Humanitarian Partnership Agreement. The agreement includes commitment to continued unearmarked and flexible financial support that protects vulnerable refugees and displaced communities, including support to innovative solutions.
Denmark has long ranked among UNHCR’s top-10 donors, and was UNHCR’s fourth largest donor in relation to the population size of the country in 2017, with a total contribution of USD 58.4 million in support. In all, close to 80 per cent of Denmark’s total funding to UNHCR was allocated as flexible and unrestricted support. Annually providing UNHCR with an unearmarked core contribution (DKK 160 million), the country was ranked as UNHCR’s sixth largest donor of unrestricted funds per capita in 2017, totalling USD 22.8 million. This unrestricted funding is crucial because it can be re-allocated to several emergencies throughout the year, depending on where the underfunding is most sever and the humanitarian need greatest. Read more about the importance of Denmark’s unearmarked funding.
In addition, Denmark contributes with a yearly flexible thematic contribution of USD 18 million (DKK 110 million) towards strategic solutions-oriented initiatives that promote innovation, self-reliance and other durable solutions, which in 2017 targeted the Afghanistan and Mano River situations, and Uganda.
Furthermore, Denmark contributes with an emergency fund of DKK 50.5 million (USD 7.20 million) at the start of every year, that UNHCR can allocate freely. In 2017, Denmark contributed through its emergency fund to Burundi, Iraq, Tanzania and Venezuela, Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan and Rohinghya emergencies. Denmark also supported through its earmarked funding UNHCR operations in the Central Mediterranean, Nigeria, Mali, Central African Republic, the North of Central America and Syria. Denmark is additionally offering in-kind UNHCR office space in the UN-City in Copenhagen.
Denmark’s thematic foci: Solutions and Innovation
Activities
Danish emergency funding to UNHCR boosts lifesaving support to Congolese refugees
By late March 2018 tens of thousands have fled the Democratic Republic of the Congo to neighbouring countries, bringing the current number of Congolese refugees in Africa to 740,000.
Denmark’s emergency funding offers lifeline to Venezuelans forced to leave their country
USD 500,000 from Denmark’s Emergency Reserve Fund will support UNHCR’s work to help the increasing numbers of Venezuelans, fleeing violence, insecurity and lack of basic services.
Denmark supports UNHCR with USD 6.3 million to meet critical needs of Rohingya refugees
More Rohingya refugees arrive in Bangladesh every day. The substantial donation from Denmark will support UNHCR’s efforts to develop a new site for the new arrivals to live.
Donor Government Counterparts
The Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs is UNHCR´s Government counterpart on matters related to strategic cooperation and funding.
Danida is the term used for Denmark’s development cooperation, which is an area of activity under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark.