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
|
- Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East
-
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
| 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) |
| 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) |
