Federal Council wants to help the Middle East with 13 million francs
Published: Friday, Sep 27th 2024, 15:00
Back to Live Feed
The Federal Council wants to allocate a further CHF 13 million for humanitarian aid in the Middle East. The money is to go to national and international organizations, but not to the controversial UN Palestinian Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs will now consult the Foreign Affairs Committees of both chambers.
At the end of 2023, the Federal Council decided to release disbursements for the Middle East under the "Humanitarian Action" credit for 2024 in tranches and after consulting the relevant parliamentary committees. Parliament reduced the humanitarian credit for 2024 by CHF 10 million to CHF 79 million.
The Federal Council intends to use the third and final credit tranche for 2024, around CHF 13 million, for organizations from Switzerland, the International Committee of the Red Cross, UN organizations and international non-governmental organizations. This is how it announced its decision on Friday.
The humanitarian aid payments are to be used in particular in the areas of water, food, health, education, income and social cohesion. The funds are to be used in Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, the occupied Palestinian territory and Syria.
No increase for UNRWA
Of the CHF 79 million for humanitarian aid, the first tranche of around CHF 56 million was allocated in April. At the beginning of May, the Federal Council decided to transfer CHF 10 million to the controversial UN Palestinian Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) to finance the most urgent living needs of the population in Gaza.
The Federal Council does not want to increase this UNRWA contribution. It wants to retain flexibility in view of the reduction in the loan, the humanitarian situation worldwide and possible natural disasters. And it referred to parliamentary discussions - the National Council recently decided to stop payments to UNRWA.
The Federal Council also reiterated its call for a ceasefire in Gaza, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages and unhindered access for emergency aid. The two-state solution was the only basis for peace between Israelis and Palestinians.
©Keystone/SDA
English 
German 
French 
Spanish 
Arabic