Switzerland strives to reduce conflict potential and improve living conditions through service delivery and the improved integration of refugees, internally displaced persons and migrants within national development plans of host societies. Swiss Cooperation contributes to capacity building of service providers in delivering basic services through institutional development and policy dialogue. In addition, it seeks to ensure that young and vulnerable people (both women and men) have the tools and access to be productive citizens. The focus is on access to employment and income through adequate education and skill development.

Specifically, SDC implements an engagement strategy with UNRWA (2010-2014) – the longest-standing humanitarian partner of SDC - which is aligned with UNRWA’s Mid-Term Strategy (2010-2015).

In addition, the Message concerning the increase of the Confederation’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) proposes an increase in the current budget for the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), for Switzerland to make a greater contribution to alleviating poverty, to securing water supplies and to adaptation to climate change in developing countries.

The SDC wishes to achieve the following results with the additional funding:

1. Sustainable water management – both national and cross-border – will be improved still further in major catchment areas, and instruments will be deployed in the water sector in the interests of better global governance.
   
2. Access to clean drinking water and basic sanitation facilities will increase in rural areas and small towns.
   
3. The efficiency of family farms will be improved.

In the frame of the domain of Basic Services and Livelihood of the regional cooperation strategy 2010-2014, SDC is exploring possibilities support sustainable access to clean drinking water and basic sanitation facilities.