Federal Council wants another 90 million for aid in the Middle East
Published: Wednesday, Nov 1st 2023, 15:31
Updated At: Thursday, Nov 2nd 2023, 00:54
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The Federal Council is asking Parliament to provide a further 90 million for humanitarian aid in the Middle East. The money will be used to support the Red Cross and Red Crescent movement and the UN in Israel, the Palestinian territories and neighboring countries.
International non-governmental organizations active in the humanitarian field there are also to receive money, the Federal Council announced on Wednesday. It writes that the humanitarian situation in the region is "extremely worrying". In the Gaza Strip, the situation is "catastrophic".
It recognizes Israel's right to self-defense and security, the Federal Council writes further, and once again condemns Hamas's terrorist acts in the strongest possible terms. However, the Federal Council also recalls that both parties are obliged to protect the civilian population and to observe international humanitarian law.
Humanitarian ceasefires or ceasefires are needed to allow access to aid and to supply the population. The conflict in the Middle East threatens to destabilize the entire region. The number of people in need is likely to rise even further.
Multiple beneficiaries
The 90 million will go to several international organizations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross, the World Food Program, Unicef and non-governmental organizations such as Médecins sans frontières and Terre des Hommes. The largest contribution, 25 million, will go to the UN Office for Humanitarian Aid (Unocha).
This was announced by Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis at a media conference in Bern on Wednesday. In summary, Switzerland supports organizations that provide shelter and food for people affected by the war.
With the credit request to parliament, the Federal Council is responding to requests from international organizations and taking into account Switzerland's possibilities - also in financial terms.
Cassis defends yes to UN resolution
Addressing a UN General Assembly resolution approved by Switzerland to improve the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and call for an immediate ceasefire, Cassis said that in such resolutions one should not only take into account the voting behavior of one country. It was also important to take note of the countries' statements.
Among other things, Switzerland had clearly stated in that statement that it recognized Israel's legitimate interests and that it regretted that a condemnation of Hamas's unjustifiable attacks had not been included in the final text.
The Federal Council had discussed Switzerland's action on Wednesday and judged it to be correct. The body had understood that Switzerland, as the depositary state of the Geneva Conventions, could only badly have opposed such a resolution, on the basis of which the resolution had been drafted.
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