Phase 50

Services

Contact the responsible Swiss representation or consulate when you want to register or unregister as a resident, when you need a new passport, have moved or wish to apply for citizenship. The entire selection of services offered can be found in the dropdown menu to the right. The contact details of the responsible Swiss representation are shown on the corresponding page.

Swiss citizens who get into difficulties abroad, also can ask for advice and help from the Swiss representative.

Contribution to UNRWA 2026

UNRWA contributes to stability in the Middle East. It provides access to basic services (health, education), relief and social protection, as well as humanitarian assistance for 5.9 million Palestine refugees in the region. Switzerland’s contribution for 2026 is earmarked for the organisation’s programmes in Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.

Country/region	Topic	Period	Budget
Jordan Lebanon Syria	Education Health Emergency Relief and Protection Primary education Primary health care Material relief assistance	01.01.2026 - 31.12.2026	CHF 10’000’000

The project in brief

Area of responsibility	UNRWA was established in 1949 with a temporary mandate by UN General Assembly to respond to the needs of Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt), until a durable and just solution is found to their plight.
Switzerland's and the organisation's strategic priorities and their coherence	UNRWA is a priority multilateral organisation according to the Strategy on International Cooperation 2025-2028 (IC Strategy).
Results of the organisation's previous engagement	Programme Budget 2025 in Jordan, Lebanon and Syria • More than 3.6 Mio patient visits to UNRWA clinics. The health reform and increased use of e-health potential has improved quality of care, efficiency and cost effectiveness. • Over 193,000 students attended more than 320 schools. The education reform has improved learning and drop-out rates. • 605’000 refugees receiving emergency food and cash assistance. • 276’000 refugees were supported by a social safety net (food and cash/e-vouchers). • Protection assistance was extended across all fields of UNRWA operation with a notable emphasis on advocacy and the mainstreaming of protection standards within service delivery. • Management reforms were implemented to further increase transparency and accountability, notably strengthening of the Division of Internal Oversight Services. Implementation of Colonna recommendations • 29 out of 50 recommendations implemented by December 2025, which shows that UNRWA has taken concrete steps to strengthen its neutrality. • The AdCom Working Group on Neutrality and Integrity was established and is operational.
Results of Switzerland's engagement in previous phase	• Switzerland actively participated in the two meetings of the AdCom Working Group on Neutrality and Integrity and monitored closely the implementation progress of the Colonna recommendations with a focus on the institutionalisation and sustainability of the recommendations after their completion. • Switzerland’s flexible financial support contributed to the on-going implementation of the Colonna recommendations.
Medium-term outcome of organisation's current engagement	• Palestine refugees are protected through the realization of their rights under international law, lead healthy lives, complete inclusive and equitable quality basic education. (Objective 1, 2, 3 Strategic Plan) • Palestine refugees – particularly youth, women, the poor and other vulnerable groups – have improved livelihood opportunities. (Objective 4 Strategic Plan) • UNRWA’s mandate is implemented effectively and responsibly. (Objective 7 Strategic Plan) • The implementation of the Colonna recommendations further improves the agency’s neutrality.
Effect in Switzerland	• Switzerland ensures continued dialogue and monitoring of the implementation of the 50 Colonna recommendations.
Directorate/federal office responsible	SDC
Project partners	Contract partner United Nations Organization (UNO) Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East
Budget	Current phase Swiss budget CHF 10’000’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF 10’000’000 Total project since first phase Swiss budget CHF 416’691’141 Budget inclusive project partner CHF 436’776’000
Switzerland's ranking in the DonorOrder	12th donor overall in 2025
Donors	30 Members and 4 Observers of the Advisory Commission, incl host countries. The top five donors in 2025 were EU, Germany, UK, Spain and Norway.
Coordination with other projects and actors	Switzerland seeks coordination with other donors to UNRWA, e.g. in the AdCom Working Group on Neutrality and Integrity. As an active member of the AdCom and SubCom, Switzerland exerts influence, in particular on the implementation of the recommendations of the Colonna report.
Project phases	Phase 50 01.01.2026 - 31.12.2026 (Current phase) Phase 49 01.01.2025 - 31.12.2025 (Completed) Phase 48 01.01.2023 - 31.12.2024 (Completed) Phase 46 01.01.2017 - 31.12.2020 (Completed) Phase 45 01.01.2016 - 31.01.2017 (Completed) Phase 44 01.01.2014 - 31.12.2015 (Completed)

Further technical details

Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation	EDUCATION HEALTH EMERGENCY RESPONSE
Sub-Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation	Primary education Basic health care Material relief assistance and services
Cross-cutting topics	Crisis prevention The project also supports partner organisation improvements
Aid Type	Core contribution
Project number	7F06962