UNRWA

The United Nations General Assembly UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) in 1949 in order to provide humanitarian aid to the refugee population. It deals expressly with Palestinian refugees in the Middle East and continues to provide them with assistance whilst a political solution to their situation is being sought. UNRWA employs a total of 29,000 people in the region.

UNRWA has been one of Switzerland's strategic partners in the Middle East since the agency was founded in 1949. In addition to Switzerland's important contribution to the global fund financing UNRWA's educational, health and aid services to Palestinian refugees (CHF 20 million to UNRWA’s Programme Budget in 2022), it plays a leading role in the process to reform the agency. Switzerland is not only committed to improving the quality of UNRWA’s services and its internal management processes, but also to strengthening the agency's fragile financial stability and its capacity to attract resources. In addition to its overall contribution, Switzerland also provides additional humanitarian funds in time of acute need.

For more information on the collaboration between SDC and UNRWA, please consult the Factsheet: