![]() ![]() UNHCR-project in Syria: Rebuilding beyond the crisis Only when displaced Syrians have a proper roof over their heads will they be able to look to the future. The two years that building expert Henri Stalder spent in Damascus has enabled the UNHCR to draw up standards for 'solid' buildings in the midst of the ruins. The financial and technical support that Switzerland is providing the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Syria is crucial. Interview with Stefan Bumbacher, specialist working for the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit ![]() A member of the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit is coordinating the project. In the cities of Homs and Latakia, the World Food Programme distributes vouchers to pregnant women and mothers with newborns, with which they are able to buy the kinds of food that best meet their needs. The resilience of the victims of the Syrian conflict also involves developing new ways of providing food aid. «Recommencer à vivre dans un pays à feu et à sang», (Starting life again in a country torn apart by war), article to appear in the 2/2016 edition of the 'Un seul monde' magazine (special dossier 'Refugees and migrants') (PDF, 1 Page, 2.4 MB, French)Įine Welt: Leben erwacht im verwüsteten Land Eine Welt 4: Ricominciare a vivere in un Paese martoriato dalla guerra In view of this protracted crisis, Syrians are unwilling to remain inactive for much longer. ![]() Helping displaced Syrians to feel useful and earn a livelihood while contributing to the reconstruction of their country – this is the aim of a project launched by the United Nations Development Programme and co-funded by the SDC. Syria: employment aid, food vouchers and durable accommodation Furthermore, Switzerland will appeal for greater respect for the values and principles of international humanitarian law. By means of support Switzerland helps beneficiaries to develop their own 'resilience', meaning their ability to confront difficulties and rebuild their everyday life – in many cases far from home.Īt the World Humanitarian Summit, the Swiss delegation, headed by Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, will have the opportunity to present a number of successes Switzerland has had in this field (see below). When crises cannot be avoided, however, the SDC's Humanitarian Aid endeavours to launch projects that aim to contribute to the rehabilitation of vulnerable population in the long term. For many years the SDC and the FDFA's Human Security Division have been actively involved in preventing conflicts and disasters by means of concrete initiatives carried out in the regions concerned. In parallel, Switzerland, like others, is doing all it can to adapt its intervention strategies. It is estimated that the number of forcibly displaced people in the world currently stands at 60 million.įaced with this reality, the donor countries, international organisations and NGOs are obliged to set priorities and deal with the most urgent needs – this meaning that hundreds of millions of other people around the world see their basic needs (subsistence, education, health) remain unmet. The main crises today are characterised by their durations of many years as can be seen with the Syrian crisis, the persistent emergency situation in the Central African Republic and the ongoing acts of violence committed by the Boko Haram group against civilians. Humanitarian needs for 2015 alone amounted to almost CHF 20 billion (five times more than ten years ago), of which only half was raised. When crises cannot be avoided, the SDC’s Humanitarian Aid does all it can to launch projects that enable vulnerable population groups to rebuild their everyday life in the long term.įrom the perspective of humanitarian aid for the victims of conflicts and natural disasters, these are frightening times. Switzerland will contribute the results of several successful experiences it has had in this field to the discussions at the World Humanitarian Summit on 23- in Istanbul. In addition to providing emergency aid it gives priority to enabling population groups forcibly displaced by conflicts or other disasters to take their lives in their own hands in the long term. What action can be taken to address the ever-increasing number and duration of humanitarian crises? The SDC’s Humanitarian Aid takes measures to make the most efficient use possible of the funds at its disposal.
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