Switzerland Allocates $11 Million to UNRWA in Gaza

The Swiss government has proposed a donation of $11 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza caused by the war between Israel and Hamas. This proposal, announced on Wednesday after weeks of delays, represents half of the amount initially planned for UNRWA in 2024. Government spokesperson André Simonazzi noted that the Federal Council decided to allocate funds to UNRWA twice a year, indicating that another decision will be made later 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, primary healthcare, and logistics services. The statement added that Switzerland "fully recognizes the challenging nature of the situation and understands the urgent need for action."