Geneva donates money to UNRWA and other organizations in Lebanon
Published: Wednesday, Nov 6th 2024, 18:00
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The canton of Geneva is supporting humanitarian organizations working in Lebanon and neighbouring countries with emergency aid of four million Swiss francs. One of the recipients is the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
The State Council is of the opinion that UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency) is "an indispensable partner" that takes care of Palestinian refugees in the region, as President Nathalie Fontanet told the media on Wednesday.
At federal level, the National Council decided in September that Switzerland should stop funding the UN Palestinian Relief and Works Agency. The responsible Council of States committee recently postponed its decision on further funding.
Geneva is financing aid in Lebanon with an extraordinary loan for 2024 and 2025. The support is aimed at providing assistance and protection to the civilian population, particularly displaced persons, it said. By funding some of the main humanitarian actors in Lebanon, the canton hopes to promote coordinated and holistic aid.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) will receive the largest amount of one million francs. UNRWA, the Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Médecins sans frontières (MSF) and the Center for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD) will each receive CHF 500,000 from the canton of Geneva.
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