Federal Council proposes to allocate CHF 7 million in humanitarian aid for Lebanon and Syria
Bern, 09.10.2024 - In view of the humanitarian impact of the escalating violence in the Middle East, the Federal Council decided at its meeting on 9 October 2024 to allocate an additional CHF 7 million in aid for Lebanon and Syria. This sum will be taken from the funds set aside for emergency aid by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). In line with Parliament's decision in December 2023, the foreign affairs committees will be consulted on this decision. These funds are in addition to the CHF 79 million allocated for humanitarian operations in the Middle East in 2024.
Violence in the Middle East has significantly intensified since last month. In Lebanon, more than 1,000 people have been killed and almost 10,000 injured. According to the United Nations, more than half a million people have been forcibly displaced within Lebanon, while 280,000 people left the country between 23 September and 3 October 2024, mainly for Syria.
In light of this humanitarian emergency, the Federal Council is proposing to allocate CHF 7 million in humanitarian aid in addition to the funds already earmarked for the region. This additional support, which comes from the SDC's emergency reserve funds, will go to the UN's Lebanon Humanitarian Fund, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Lebanese Red Cross and the UNHCR in Syria. These organisations will offer shelter, care and protection to those affected, as well as providing them with basic food items, water and sanitation, medicines, basic healthcare and hygiene products. In line with Parliament's decision of December 2023, the foreign affairs committees will be consulted on this issue in October 2024. This CHF 7 million in funding is in addition to the CHF 79 million already allocated for humanitarian operations in the wider region (occupied Palestinian territory, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria) for 2024.
The Federal Council stresses that dialogue, respect for international law and de-escalation are essential if the Middle East conflict is to be brought to an end. It reiterates its call on all parties to cease hostilities throughout the region.
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