Denmark is the fifth largest government contributor of unearmarked funding to UNHCR, and over 80% of Denmark’s annual contribution comes at the start of each year in the form of unearmarked or flexibly earmarked contributions – meaning Danish support allows us to act quickly when new crises emerge and support under-resourced programs in protracted situations that may not be in the media spotlight.
Denmark has shown a shared commitment to more sustainable and solutions-oriented responses, as can be seen in its long-standing support to help UNHCR build its partnerships with development partners. Denmark has supported UNHCR’s growing partnership with the World Bank, including through the Joint Data Centre, as well as our Joint Initiative with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) on private sector solutions in forced displacement.
This approach is also evident in the wide range of pledges Denmark made at the Global Refugee Forum in December 2023. These pledges include the innovative approach to refugee inclusion in Kenya in partnership with the host Government, UNHCR, Danish Philanthropic Foundations and others, as well as a commitment to leadership on climate action. In this respect, Denmark is an early and enthusiastic supporter of UNHCR’s innovative climate financing programmes such as the Project Flow – both of which aim to improve environmental outcomes while using donor funds in a sustainable way.
Denmark also hosts UN City in Copenhagen, where staff from the UNHCR Education, Global Data Service, Digital Service, and Private Sector Partnerships teams are located.
87% of the contribution was softly earmarked and unearmarked
The impact of Danmark as a donor
Funding from Denmark is making a difference for people in drought affected Ethiopia
Recent arrivals of close to 100,000 refugees in the Somali region of Ethiopia put pressure on already drought affected host communities. With Danish contributions, UNHCR is able to scale up the response.
Unearmarked funding enables UNHCR to respond to emergencies and forgotten crises
Unearmarked contributions and rapid funding from Denmark have allowed UNHCR to quickly scale up and respond in emergencies such as breakout of conflict in Sudan, the earthquakes in Syria and Türkiye and tragic fires in Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh.