The funding serves several Swiss priorities, the government said in a statementExternal link: as well as a sign of commitment to “human development, humanitarian action and regional stability”, it also allows the country to “continue to exert a positive influence on UNRWA’s policy and working methods”.
Despite previously voicing concerns about the role of UNRWA in the Middle East (see below), the government said on Friday that the agency plays “a key role as a stabilising factor in the region”. The situation for Palestinian refugees, particularly in Lebanon and Syria, has been exacerbated by conflicts over the past decade, the government said.
It highlighted the 710 UNRWA-run schools in the region, serving some 540,000 children – this creates opportunities and helps to “reduce the risk of radicalisation”.
UNRWA also runs 143 primary healthcare centres in the region, providing 3.1 million Palestinian refugees with access to high-quality health services each year, the government wrote.
More
More
It helps to be Swiss, says new boss of Palestinian refugee agency
This content was published on
We talk to Philippe Lazzarini, new Swiss boss of the UN’s Palestinian refugee agency, about coronavirus and his plans to restore trust.
UNRWA has been hit by various funding and credibility crises over the past years, which reached a highpoint in November 2020, when the body was on the verge of financial collapse and unable to pay salaries.
Current boss of the agency Philippe Lazzarini, who is also Swiss, said last year that UNRWA had overcome its crises and that he had held promising talks with Cassis regarding shared priorities.
At the end of November 2022, however, during a funding appeal, Lazzarini said that the global economic crisis had again pushed the agency into a “danger zone” that could result in it no longer being able to fulfil its mandate.
Popular Stories
More
Workplace Switzerland
What lies ahead for Switzerland: an economic outlook for 2025
Have you heard something about Swiss diplomacy that you’d like us to fact check?
Not all information circulating about Switzerland’s foreign relations is accurate or well understood. Tell us what you'd like us to fact check or clarify.
Credit Suisse Nazi ties ‘ran deeper than thought’: media report
This content was published on
Credit Suisse is alleged to have withheld details of its historic links with World War II-era Nazi clients, says the Wall Street Journal.
Swiss man faces life imprisonment after Australia drugs arrest
This content was published on
Swiss man, 21, accused of attempting to smuggle 25 kilograms of cocaine with a street value of CHF4.5 million into Australia.
Swiss insurer Helvetia says 500 jobs affected by cost-cutting
This content was published on
Some 500 jobs, including 200 to 250 in Switzerland, are affected by the new operational efficiency measures recently announced by insurer Helvetia.
This content was published on
Significantly fewer new cars were sold in Switzerland in 2024 than the previous year as demand for electric cars and plug-in hybrids declined.
Three Swiss brands among world’s 100 most valuable firms
This content was published on
Three Swiss firms made it into the 2024 top 100 most valuable companies in the world, despite Roche, Nestlé and Novartis falling down the rankings.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Former UNRWA boss hopeful for formal UN exoneration
This content was published on
Pierre Krähenbühl, ex-head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, talks about why he soon expects closure on the 2019 misconduct scandal.
UNRWA boss warns of financial crisis impacting services
This content was published on
The financial crisis at the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) could force it to halt certain services, Philippe Lazzarini has warned.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.