Cabinet confirms ICRC contribution

Switzerland will contribute SFr70 million ($61.7 million) to the International Committee of the Red Cross for the current year, the cabinet announced on Wednesday.

The money will come from Switzerland’s humanitarian aid credit facility.

The Swiss-run ICRC is Switzerland’s most important partner in the area of international humanitarian aid. In 2007 Switzerland was one of the four biggest donors to the organisation.

The ICRC has a mandate under international law to help victims of conflicts and internal violence anywhere in the world. It has 80 delegations worldwide, whose missions are coordinated by the Geneva headquarters.