OPT- GAZA: Evacuation of warwounded children and their families from Gaza
The intervention aims to evacuate 20 war-wounded children from Gaza to Switzerland for medical treatment as well as their family members. The focus is to ensure specialized medical care and protection for the most vulnerable victims of the conflict. Relevance lies in responding to the acute humanitarian crisis and the collapse of Gaza’s health system. The initiative highlights Switzerland’s humanitarian tradition and commitment to international solidarity. In addition to four Federal Departments of the Swiss Confederation, the key partners are: WHO, MSF-Switzerland, Rega, and the Swiss Air Force.
| Country/region | Topic | Period | Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Occupied Palestinian Territory |
Emergency Relief and Protection
Protection, access & security
|
20.10.2025
- 31.12.2025 |
CHF 600’000
|
- National State Institute North
- Swiss Private Sector
- Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit
-
Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation EMERGENCY RESPONSE
Sub-Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation Material relief assistance and services
Aid Type SDC direct implementation
Project number 7F11628
| Background |
On 7 Oct 2023, Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel, killing ~1’100 – 1’200 people and seizing ~250 hostages. Israel launched major air and ground operations in Gaza to destroy Hamas and free hostages. The conflict created a severe humanitarian crisis, with 50’000 – 65’000+ Palestinians reported dead by 2025. United Nations and human rights groups confirmed extremely high civilian and child casualties. Gaza’s health system collapsed: hospitals lacked fuel, medicine, electricity, and safe access. By July 2025, ~17’000 children were killed and 33’000 injured; many lost limbs without proper care. Borders with Israel and Egypt remaine largely closed, blocking evacuation and aid. WHO’s “Medevac-Gaza” evacuated 223 patients and 504 relatives by mid-2025; 15’600 still need evacuation. Switzerland, with its humanitarian tradition, decided to accept wounded civilians for treatment. It does so by accepting to evacuate 20 child patients and their families and provide life saving medical carein Switzerland. |
| Objectives | To ensure that ill and war-wounded children receive life-saving and specialized treatments which are not available in the Gaza Strip due to limited medical resources and the severely impaired health system. |
| Target groups | War wounded children of Gaza (OPT) who need lifesaving medical treatment. |
| Medium-term outcomes |
1. A total of 20 ill and/or war-wounded children, accompanied by their close relatives, have been evacuated to Switzerland, where they are receiving the necessary medical treatment. 2. The processes for the medical evacuation have been coordinated. |
| Results |
Expected results: 1.1. 20 injured children are identified according to predefined criteria. 1.2. 20 children and their accompanying relatives (max. 4) are transferred from Gaza to Jordan. 1.3. Medical evacuations from Jordan to Switzerland are carried out in stages. 1.4. Different cantons in Switzerland, depending on their consent and medical capacities, receive the patients and provide the appropriate medical care. 2.1 The medical evacuation is closely coordinated between all partners. 2.2 Based on a positive security check humanitarian visas are granted to the children and their accompanying relatives. Results from previous phases: N/A |
| Directorate/federal office responsible |
SDC |
| Project partners |
Contract partner Private sector Foreign state institution |
| Coordination with other projects and actors |
• The Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) • WHO, MSF-CH, FDFA, FDJP, SEM, DDPS, FDHA |
| Budget | Current phase Swiss budget CHF 600’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF 548’610 Total project since first phase Swiss budget CHF 0 Budget inclusive project partner CHF 600’000 |
| Project phases |
Phase 1 20.10.2025 - 31.12.2025 (Active) |
