The Swiss government has committed 20 million Swiss francs (approximately 24.25 million US dollars) this year to support humanitarian efforts for Palestinians.
Of this amount, 11 million francs will be allocated to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), while 9 million francs will be directed toward four additional humanitarian organizations.
In its statement, the government expressed serious concern over the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, highlighting the ongoing difficulties in delivering aid. It also urged Israel to uphold international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions.
The statement emphasized UNRWA’s critical role in providing healthcare, education, and social services to nearly 3.5 million Palestinian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria.
This year’s funding, matching last year’s, will specifically support projects in Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria.
The remaining 9 million Swiss francs will be distributed among UNICEF, the World Food Programme, the World Health Organization, and the Swiss Red Cross, in partnership with the Palestinian Red Crescent Society.
It is worth mentioning that Switzerland suspended its financial support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) on September 11, 2024, following Israeli allegations that some of its staff were involved in the October 7 attacks.
At the time, the Swiss Parliament voted to immediately halt funding, citing concerns that some UNRWA’s employees in Gaza had allegedly ties to armed resistance groups.
After months of review, Switzerland chose to reinstate funding for UNRWA in April 2025, following the completion of a United Nations investigation into the allegations. The Swiss government stated that the decision was based on reforms implemented by UNRWA and assurances regarding staff vetting and oversight.
However, the renewed support came with stricter conditions to ensure transparency and accountability in the agency’s operations.
The Israeli occupation authorities continue their systematic starvation policy targeting approximately 2.4 million people in Gaza, closing the crossings to aid supplies piling up on the border since March 2nd, plunging the Strip into famine and claiming the lives of many Palestinian civilians – children and babies in particular, as they are especially prone to the impact of malnutrition.
On Wednesday, the Israeli army killed at least 93 Palestinians, and injured dozens, including children and women, across the Gaza Strip.
Israel has now killed at least 53,655 Palestinians and wounded 121,950, mostly children, women and elderly, in addition to thousands of missing Palestinians, largely under the rubble in various parts of the devastated Gaza Strip.
