Federal Council approves loan to reconstruct the International Federation of the National Societies of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) in Geneva
Bern, 08.05.2015 - The Federal Council has approved a loan of CHF 54.4 million for the Foundation for Buildings for International Organisations (FIPOI) to finance the demolition works and construction of a new and larger IFRC headquarters. The works will be spread out over three years from 2016 to 2018.
The current IFRC building built in 1945 has become outdated and is unsuitable for the substantial renovation it would need. The building is no longer in line with the necessary standards for security and energy, nor does it meet the needs of the organisation which, following a considerable increase in staff since that time, requires more space to accommodate them. The IFRC currently employs 330 staff which includes 65 Swiss civil servants. Maintaining International Geneva's housing stock is essential to ensure an optimal environment and bolster the city's position as a place where solutions to current global issues can be developed.
The aim is to preserve the image of Geneva and Switzerland conveyed by the buildings as well as to ensure they function well and are safe for the people working there. This is one of the central elements of the dispatch on measures to strengthen Switzerland's role as host state which was adopted by the Federal Council on 19 November 2014 (Federal Gazette 2014 9029) and is currently being considered by the Federal Assembly.
Subject to approval by Parliament, the CHF 54.4 million interest-free loan – which is repayable over 50 years – will allow the demolition/reconstruction work to begin as of 2016. In June 2014, Parliament approved a loan of CHF 5 million to finance a pre-investment-study of the construction project.
The works will entail the demolition of four buildings so that the main building can be made longer and higher. This will allow the IFRC to consolidate all of its activities in one single location and accommodate the organisation's increasing workforce in the long term. The demolition and construction works are expected to take up to 28 months with project completion estimated for end April 2018. This will make it possible for the IFRC to celebrate its 100 year anniversary in 2019 in a modern building that meets the organisation's needs to optimum effect.
Alongside the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the IFRC plays a major role in the humanitarian sector and its presence in Geneva is essential to the city's influence as the humanitarian capital of the world. Due to the IFRC's humanitarian mission – and because of the importance of the humanitarian tradition of the Red Cross Movement founded by Henry Dunant in Geneva – the organisation has always held a special place in Switzerland. The Federal Council considers that supporting this project to build a fully functioning IFRC headquarters that meets the needs of the organisation is in the interests of both Switzerland and International Geneva in order to bolster the position of the city as the birthplace of the Red Cross and unrivalled humanitarian capital of the world.
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