Source

The aim of the International Conference on Afghan Displacement, held in Geneva on 2-3 May 2012, was to find sustainable solutions for Afghan refugees. The new strategy endorsed by the conference primarily supports voluntary repatriation, sustainable reintegration and assistance to host countries. The conference can be regarded as a success for Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan in view of the support pledged by the international community, and for Switzerland as the host country and facilitator for implementation of the new strategy.

Bern, 04.05.2012 - The Federal Council has decided in a circular procedure to send up to eight army members to participate in the mission to monitor the ceasefire and the peace plan in Syria. This decision is a response to an enquiry by the UN.

21.03.2012 - Today, the Federal Council announced a host state contribution of CHF 70 million for the ICRC for the current year. This support is provided from the credit facility of the Humanitarian Aid of the Confederation.

Crise alimentaire en Afrique de l'Ouest

En Afrique de l'Ouest, dans la région du Sahel, la sécheresse et les suites de la crise alimentaire de 2010 exposent plus de 10 millions de personnes à de graves pénuries de nourriture. Tirant profit de l'expérience réalisée dans la Corne de l'Afrique, la Suisse ainsi que d'autres pays donateurs ont réagi très vite pour éviter une famine.

On 15 February 2012, the Federal Council transmitted to Parliament the Message on Switzerland’s International Cooperation in the period 2013 – 16. For the first time, the Message describes in one document the tasks of humanitarian aid, development cooperation, economic and trade policy measures within the framework of development cooperation, and cooperation with the countries of Eastern Europe.

Bern, 22.12.2011 - During the night of 17 December a tropical storm devastated large parts of the south of the Philippines. Hundreds of thousands of people have been affected by this disaster and about 1000 people were killed. In response to the emergency, the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) has decided to send six experts from the Humanitarian Aid of the Swiss Confederation to the disaster area. They will make sure that access to drinking water is improved and that hygiene measures are stepped up.

Bern, 18.07.2011 - The Humanitarian Aid of the Confederation unlocks an additional credit of CHF 4.5 million to support the populations affected by the food crisis in the Horn of Africa. This amount will be used to help refugees in Ethiopia and Kenya and to assist the most vulnerable populations in Somalia.