Press releases

Fresh reinforcements leave for devastated areas of Turkey and Syria

10.02.2023 — Press releases EDA
The earthquakes in Turkey and Syria have caused massive damage, leaving thousands of people in the two countries dead or injured, with the number of casualties still expected to rise. In response to an appeal from the Turkish authorities, Swiss Humanitarian Aid immediately sent a Swiss Rescue team to the affected regions last Monday. A second phase of the emergency response is being launched today.

Earthquake hits Turkish–Syrian border region: Swiss Rescue helps search for survivors

06.02.2023 — Press releases EDA
On 6 February 2023, a number of earthquakes occurred along the Turkish–Syrian border. Swiss Humanitarian Aid has sent around 80 Swiss Rescue experts and eight search dogs to the Gaziantep area in southern Turkey. The rescue team also includes disaster response specialists from the Swiss Armed Forces. The rescue effort is in response to an appeal for help from the Turkish authorities. The Swiss authorities are in the process of clarifying what assistance is needed by people in Syria affected by the earthquakes.

Use of chemical weapons in Syria – Switzerland's position

27.01.2023 — Press releases EDA
Switzerland takes note of the third report of the Investigation and Identification Team of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), which was mandated to identify the perpetrators of the use of chemical weapons in Douma on 7 April 2018. Switzerland strongly condemns the use of chemical weapons and calls on all parties to the conflict in Syria to refrain from using them and comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law. Those responsible for crimes under international law in Syria must be held accountable.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis participates in rule of law debate at the UN Security Council in New York

11.01.2023 — Press releases EDA
At its meeting on 11 January 2023, the Federal Council was briefed on Switzerland's initial work within the UN Security Council and key upcoming issues. Tomorrow, Thursday 12 January, head of the FDFA Ignazio Cassis will travel to New York to participate in a UN Security Council debate at the invitation of Japan, the current president. This ministerial-level debate will focus on promoting the rule of law among nations.

UN Security Council renews cross-border humanitarian aid into Syria

09.01.2023 — Press releases EDA
On 9 January 2023, the United Nations Security Council unanimously extended the mandate for cross-border humanitarian aid in Syria until 10 July. Switzerland introduced the respective resolution in the Security Council as co-penholder of the Syria humanitarian file. The Council's decision allows humanitarian aid to reach a region in north-west Syria where over four million people are in need of support. Protecting the civilian population in conflicts is one of Switzerland's priorities for its two-year Council membership.

Switzerland's support for Palestinian refugees in the Middle East: continued contribution to UNRWA for the period 2023–24

02.12.2022 — Press releases EDA
At its meeting on 2 December 2022, the Federal Council approved Switzerland's continued support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). UNRWA will receive CHF 20 million annually for the years 2023 and 2024. With these funds, Switzerland is reaffirming its commitment to human development, humanitarian action and regional stability.

Federal Council requests continued support for the three Geneva centres

02.12.2022 — Press releases EDA
On 2 December, the Federal Council decided to request CHF 130 million for the 2024 – 27 period to support the work of the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP), the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) and the Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF). In the coming years, the three Geneva centres will strengthen diplomatic dialogue, promote innovative approaches, for example to explosive ordnance disposal, and prioritise activities in Europe. They also aim to cooperate more closely with the UN, the EU and NATO.

Human Rights Council adopts Swiss-led resolution

07.10.2022 — Press releases EDA
The Human Rights Council (HRC) concluded its 51st session today in Geneva, following an intensive four-week programme of work conducted in a hybrid format. The armed conflict in Ukraine as well as the human rights situations in Xinjiang (China) and Russia were at the core of the discussions. In particular, the HRC adopted a resolution presented by Switzerland on transitional justice and human rights.

Women, Peace and Security agenda: Switzerland committed to bolstered implementation

19.05.2022 — Press releases EDA
FDFA State Secretary Livia Leu has opened yesterday, Wednesday 18 May 2022, in Geneva the fourth capital-level meeting within the Women, Peace and Security Focal Points Network. About 200 participants – representing governments and international and regional organisations, and members of civil society – are coming together with a common goal at the two-day event: furthering the Women, Peace and Security agenda. The aim is to develop innovative strategies to better include women in peace processes and to protect their rights. The event was organised by the FDFA, as part of Switzerland's co-chairing of the network, together with South Africa.

Switzerland renews support for Syria, pledging CHF 60 million for 2022

10.05.2022 — Press releases EDA
Switzerland has pledged to contribute CHF 60 million in 2022 to support the people of Syria and the surrounding region, whose humanitarian needs are greater than ever 11 years after the start of the conflict. Switzerland announced this amount on 10 May 2022 at the 6th Brussels Conference on Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region.

Human Rights Council 49th session overshadowed by Russia's military aggression against Ukraine

01.04.2022 — Press releases EDA
The 49th session of the Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva will come to a close on 1 April 2022 after five weeks of negotiations. President of the Swiss Confederation Ignazio Cassis attended the opening of the session. Focusing on the situation in Ukraine, the HRC held an urgent debate, condemning human rights violations in the wake of Russia's military aggression and creating a commission of inquiry. It also adopted two joint initiatives led by Switzerland and its partners: first, a resolution supporting the participation of least developed countries in the HRC's work and second, an initiative to help protect cultural property in conflict situations.

Major General Patrick Gauchat appointed head of United Nations peacekeeping mission UNTSO

29.10.2021 — Press releases EDA
On 28 October 2021 UN Secretary-General António Guterres announced the appointment of Major General Patrick Gauchat as Head of Mission of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) in the Middle East. This is the first time a Swiss officer has been given command of a UN peacekeeping mission. The Federal Council was informed of his planned deployment at its meeting on 24 September.

Independent UN institution in Geneva to investigate the fate of missing persons in Syria

25.04.2024 — Press releases EDA
On 24 April 2024, the UN General Assembly approved funding for an independent institution to investigate cases of missing persons in Syria, to be based in Geneva. As part of its peace policy, Switzerland is firmly committed to clarifying the fate of detained and missing persons. In doing so, it is making a significant contribution to dealing with the past, which is central to peace processes – including in Syria. Switzerland therefore welcomes the international community's decision for the institution to begin its work in International Geneva in 2024.

Federal Council consults foreign affairs committees on aid payments to Middle East

24.04.2024 — Press releases EDA
At its meeting on 24 April 2024, the Federal Council decided to proceed with the planned use of CHF 56 million of humanitarian funding earmarked for the Middle East. The FDFA has been instructed to consult with the foreign affairs committees on this matter. A decision on the disbursement of the Swiss contribution to UNRWA will be made at a later date.

Human rights at heart of current crises discussed at 55th session of Human Rights Council

05.04.2024 — Press releases EDA
The 55th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva focused on the situations in the Middle East and Ukraine. The session began on 26 February, with Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis and around 100 high-level dignitaries in attendance. It ended on Friday 5 April.

Switzerland condemns use of chemical weapons in Syria

26.02.2024 — Press releases EDA
Switzerland takes note of the fourth report of the Investigation and Identification Team of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), which has been working to identify the perpetrators of chemical weapons use in Marea, Syria on 1 September 2015. Switzerland condemns the use of chemical weapons in the strongest terms and calls on all parties to the conflict in Syria to refrain from using them and comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law. Those responsible for crimes under international law in Syria must be held accountable.

United Nations Human Rights Council: Switzerland co-authors resolution on child, early and forced marriage

14.07.2023 — Press releases EDA
The 53rd session of the UN Human Rights Council ended on 14 July. This session, which began on 19 June, focused on protecting the rights of women and girls, a sensitive issue within the council. Switzerland was particularly active, along with eleven other countries representing all regions of the world, in drafting a resolution on the fight against child, early and forced marriage.

Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit turns 50

16.06.2023 — Press releases EDA
A celebration is in order: for half a century, the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA) has been the face of Switzerland's humanitarian aid, providing assistance worldwide before, during and after crises of all kinds. Today, it is impossible to imagine Switzerland's international cooperation without it.

Switzerland pledges CHF 60 million more in humanitarian aid for crisis in Syria

15.06.2023 — Press releases EDA
Twelve years after the conflict broke out, humanitarian needs in Syria are greater than ever. At the Seventh Brussels Conference on 'Supporting the future of Syria and the region' on 15 June 2023, Switzerland announced CHF 60 million in support for the affected population this year.

Switzerland works to shed light on past deployments of chemical weapons and prevent their future use

15.05.2023 — Press releases EDA
The Fifth Review Conference of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) will take place in The Hague from 15 to 19 May. The CWC seeks the permanent and verifiable destruction of all chemical weapons worldwide. At the conference, the 193 states parties, including Switzerland, will review progress towards implementation of the CWC and set priorities for the coming years. Repeated use of chemical weapons, notably in Syria, and the current geopolitical situation pose major challenges for the conference. Switzerland is committed to the scientific clarification of all uses of chemical weapons and seeks to strengthen the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in order to send a strong message against such weapons.

UN High Commissioner for Refugees pays visit to Bern

03.04.2023 — Press releases EDA
On 3 April, President Alain Berset and Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider received the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, in Bern. The talks focused on cooperation between Switzerland and the Office of the High Commissioner in Geneva (UNHCR). During his visit to Bern, the High Commissioner also met with the director of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, Patricia Danzi, as well as representatives from various refugee organisations in Switzerland, members of parliament and journalists.

Post-earthquake relief in Turkey and Syria: Switzerland provides CHF 8,5 million for affected population

20.03.2023 — Press releases EDA
The Swiss Confederation is extending its support to the populations of the earthquake-hit regions of Turkey and Syria. At the international donors' conference in Brussels, held to secure support for the people of Turkey and Syria in the aftermath of the earthquakes, Manuel Bessler, the Federal Council's delegate for humanitarian aid, announced that Switzerland would contribute CHF 8,5 million towards relief efforts in the affected areas.

Earthquakes in Turkey and Syria: Switzerland sends more experts and material

23.02.2023 — Press releases EDA
Doctors, engineers, winter tents: Swiss Humanitarian Aid is continuing to support people affected by the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. It has now been over two weeks since the devastating earthquake and people in the affected areas are still desperately in need of humanitarian assistance. Some CHF 8 million has already been made available to aid the survivors.

Earthquakes in Turkey and Syria: Swiss Rescue ends mission – Switzerland sends more specialists and material to earthquake-hit region

13.02.2023 — Press releases EDA
After almost a week of sustained operations, Swiss Rescue is ending its search for survivors of the devastating earthquake in Turkey. The team and the search dogs are returning to Switzerland on Monday 13 February 2023. The second phase of the emergency aid operations was already launched on Saturday 11 February 2023, with the arrival of the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit's rapid response team in Hatay Province, Turkey. In addition, an initial aid delivery with 300 winter-proof family tents is on its way to the earthquake-hit region.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis receives UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen to discuss a political solution to the Syrian conflict

21.10.2019 — EDA
Federal Councillor and head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Ignazio Cassis has met with the UN Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, in Bern to discuss the situation in Syria and possible ways of finding a political solution. They conferred about the most recent escalation of the conflict in north-eastern Syria and the upcoming first meeting of the Syrian Constitutional Committee in Geneva by the end of the month. Switzerland provides humanitarian support for the people of Syria and neighbouring countries.

Federal Council calls for immediate end to hostilities and facilitates provision of humanitarian aid in Syria

16.10.2019 — EDA
The Federal Council condemns Turkey's military intervention in Syria, which it considers to be in violation of the UN Charter and therefore contrary to international law. It calls on Turkey to immediately cease all hostilities and to work through negotiation towards immediate de-escalation and a political solution to the conflict. Switzerland has stated this position to Turkey several times in recent days. At the same time, the Federal Council decided at its meeting of 16 October 2019 to aid the establishment of business relations necessary for the work of the humanitarian actors active in Syria. The amended ordinance on measures against Syria will enter into force on 15 November 2019.

Switzerland steps up efforts to fight AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis – Ignazio Cassis announces extra 7 million

10.10.2019 — EDA
Every year, 2.5 million people die of AIDS, malaria or tuberculosis, mainly in low- and middle-income countries. At a pledging conference hosted in Lyon on Thursday in the presence of French President Emmanuel Macron, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis announced a CHF 7 million increase in Switzerland's contribution to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. The Geneva-based Global Fund is a priority multilateral partner for Switzerland's international cooperation.

Syrian-Turkish border – Switzerland calls on all parties to refrain from hostilities

09.10.2019 — EDA
Switzerland is following recent developments on the Syrian-Turkish border in north-eastern Syria with concern. It calls on all parties to refrain from hostilities and to respect international law, in particular international humanitarian law.

EU-hosted high-level meeting on the Syrian crisis

24.09.2019 — EDA
New York, 24.09.2019 - Address by the Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis at the 74th UN General Assembly - Check against delivery

UN General Assembly: Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis calls for a peaceful solution to the Syrian conflict and climate change mitigation

24.09.2019 — EDA
Federal Councillor and head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Ignazio Cassis has set several priorities as Switzerland celebrates 100 years of multilateralism this year. Last week, he signed a joint declaration with the Canton and City of Geneva reaffirming their commitment to International Geneva's role as a centre of global governance. At the high-level week of the UN General Assembly in New York, Mr Cassis has now called on the international community to strengthen human rights, adding that this will require innovative approaches. During his stay in New York, Mr Cassis will also speak about UN reforms and climate change mitigation, hold bilateral talks, and meet staff of the Swiss mission to the UN and the Swiss consulate general in the city.

Switzerland calls for a redoubling of efforts to aid the victims of the humanitarian crisis in Syria

14.12.2016 — EDA
Switzerland has issued another humanitarian appeal to tackle the Syrian crisis. The FDFA calls on all parties to the Syrian conflict to fulfil their obligations with respect to human rights and international humanitarian law and to protect the civilian population caught up in the fighting. Immediate and unhampered access for humanitarian relief to the civilian population in all besieged and difficult-to-access areas is also imperative. The situation in Aleppo is catastrophic and particularly worrying in light of allegations of extrajudicial executions and forced disappearances.

Switzerland is endeavouring to tackle the causes of displacement

29.11.2016 — Article DEZA

Didier Burkhalter will be speaking at a panel discussion entitled ‘Displacement – the global challenge of the 21^st century’, which is being held at the University of Zurich in connection with the ‘DISPLACED’ exhibition at the National Museum Zurich. In this interview he talks about Swiss foreign policy in the area of migration.

Focus on mediation

23.12.2015 — Article EDA

Switzerland is seeking to become more actively involved in mediation. This commitment was reaffirmed by Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter at the 2015 annual conference of the FDFA's Human Security Division (HSD). In this, Switzerland can build upon its long-standing tradition as a mediator.

A member of the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit wins an award

03.11.2014 — Article DEZA

Johanna Estermann, a member of the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit since 2010, has won this year’s Swiss Humanitarian Award, which is given each year to a deserving student by the Geneva Centre for Education and Research in Humanitarian Action (CERAH).

Just as water can contribute to conflict, it can also be a source of reconciliation

09.09.2014 — Article DEZA

The water crisis and its consequences on access to drinking water, food security and the rural economy are one of the causes of the Syrian conflict. But shared and efficient management of water resources could be a factor for reconciliation. With this in mind, the SDC in partnership with the Geneva Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies has prepared a report on the water situation as well as that of displaced people in the strategic region of the Orontes River basin.

«We do whatever is possible»

16.05.2014 — Article DEZA

An engineer by profession, Henri Stalder has been a member of the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA) since 2002. He has taken part in SHA missions in several countries in this capacity. Since January 2014 has Henri Stalder been made available to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Syria where he runs the shelter sector. This sector provides emergency accommodation to displaced persons and reconstructs damaged buildings. Henri Stalder embodies the various types of support Switzerland provides to the victims of the conflict. Interview performed in May 2014.