Switzerland pledges CHF8 million for Rohingya refugees
The Swiss contribution was made at a donor conference organised by the United Nations in Geneva on Tuesday, which is hoping to raise almost $1 billion to help the Rohingya.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Keystone-SDA/dos
العربية
ar
سويسرا تتعهد بتقديم ثمانية ملايين فرنك لفائدة لاجئي الروهينغا
The Swiss offer of $8.7 million (almost CHF8 million) will mainly go towards the UN’s activities in Bangladesh, said Manuel Bessler, the head of the Swiss humanitarian aid corps.
The rest will go towards Swiss development projects in the region, which currently include anti-sexual violence campaigns and efforts to boost access to clean water and education.
Close to a million Rohingya have been living in crowded camps in southern Bangladesh since fleeing a military crackdown in Myanmar’s Rakhine state nearly four years ago.
Many more people have been fleeing Myanmar since February, when the military overthrew the civilian government and began a crackdown on protesters that has killed more than 800 people, according to the Assistance Association of Political Prisoners.
More
More
Myanmar faces “catastrophe”: Swiss UN diplomat
This content was published on
On Monday, the Swiss diplomat told Swiss public television SRF that the situation is extremely concerning. “It would be catastrophic if Myanmar takes a step back to 2011 when the country had been under a dictatorship for 50 years,” said Schraner Burgener. “We fear that all attempts to democratise the country will again be crushed…
On Monday, on the eve of the donor conference, the head of the UN’s refugee agency Filippo Grandi told Reuters that the fate of the Rohingya was at risk of being forgotten in the wake of this coup and the chaos which has followed.
“The development in Myanmar risks overshadowing the fact that this is a crisis that pre-existed this development and will continue to be a crisis that needs to be addressed both in Bangladesh and in Myanmar,” Grandi said.
On Tuesday afternoon, Grandi said that donors had so far pledged $340 million for the 2021 programme, meaning it is currently 36% funded, he said.
More
More
Switzerland boosts Rohingya aid efforts
This content was published on
Some 900,000 Rohingya refugees have been forced to flee Myanmar to Bangladesh in recent years. The Myanmar authorities have been condemned around the world for persecuting the minority group. Switzerland signalled its support for a Joint Response Plan drawn up in Geneva by 130 international humanitarian organisations. The plan calls for $920 million to meet…
Swiss climate activists block vehicles near Gotthard tunnel
This content was published on
Around ten climate activists briefly blocked the A2 motorway near the northern entrance of the Gotthard tunnel on Thursday.
Watches belonging to Michael Schumacher up for auction
This content was published on
Schumacher's family is auctioning off eight rare watches from his collection in Geneva. The Christie's auction will take place on Monday.
Joya Marleen and Baschi named best solo acts at Swiss Music Awards
This content was published on
St. Gallen singer Joya Marleen and Baschi from Basel were named artists of the year at the Swiss Music Awards 2024 on Wednesday night.
Swiss authorities announce cost-cutting in asylum sector
This content was published on
The government notably wants to improve integration into the labour force, particularly for people with protection status S.
Various leaders confirm participation at Ukraine peace conference
This content was published on
The presidents of Poland, Finland, and Latvia and the prime ministers of Spain and Belgium will be at the Swiss-hosted talks in mid-June.
This content was published on
In the winter season up to April 2024, railway and cable car operators ferried 3% more visitors compared to the previous winter, and 5% more than the five-year average.
Rhine flooding: Swiss to invest CHF1 billion with Austria
This content was published on
As part of an international agreement with Austria, the Swiss government wants to pump CHF1 billion ($1.1 billion) into flood protection measures along the Rhine over the next three decades.
Swiss government proposes CHF10 million UNRWA donation
This content was published on
After months of debate, Switzerland plans to give CHF10 million ($11 million) to the UN agency this year, rather than the CHF20 million initially foreseen.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.