Switzerland Allocates 11 Million Dollars to UNRWA in Gaza

The Swiss government has proposed granting 11 million dollars to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza resulting from the war between Israel and Hamas. This proposal, announced on Wednesday after weeks of delays, represents half of the amount that was initially scheduled to be paid to UNRWA in 2024. Government spokesman André Simonazzi noted that the Federal Council decided to allocate funds to UNRWA twice a year, meaning there will be a second decision this year. The Federal Council stated that "Switzerland's contribution of 10 million Swiss francs to UNRWA will be limited to Gaza and will cover the most urgent basic needs such as food, water, shelter, basic healthcare, and logistical services." The statement added that Switzerland "is fully aware of the difficult nature of the situation and recognizes the urgent need for action."