UNRWA was established in 1949 with a temporary mandate by UN General Assembly to respond to the needs of Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and the occupied Palestinian territory, until a durable and just solution is found to their plight.

UNRWA’s mandate is in line with: Message on International Cooperation; Swiss foreign policy priorities; Strategic Framework Near East; and Cooperation Strategies for oPt and Middle East.

• Medical services provided to 3.6 Mio refugees per year. The health reform improved quality of care, efficiency and cost effectiveness.
• 500,000 students attended 700 schools. The education reform generated positive classroom changes.
• 300’000 refugees supported by a social safety net (food and cash/e-vouchers). Emergency assistance reached 1.4 million conflict-affected refugees.
• Efforts undertaken to diversify resource mobilization towards private sector and regional partners (mainly Gulf States).
• Establishment of a Protection division in 2015 following the adoption of the Protection policy in 2012.

• Switzerland facilitated, in its AdCom/SubCom role, the implementation of the reforms envisaged in the MTS. It helped increasing trust among members and it has improved the overall quality of SubCom meetings.
• Switzerland’s financial support contributed to catalytic initiatives enabling internal reforms in programmes (health and education) and management (putting in place the Protection division, resource mobilization, communication and relations with staff).

• Ensure universal access to quality and comprehensive primary health care; prevent and control diseases.
• Ensure universal access to basic education; enhance quality; improve access for learners with special needs.
• Reduce abject poverty; improve employability; improve camps’ environment.
• Ensure service delivery matches protection needs and standards; advance rights of refugees by promoting respect for human rights and IHL; ensure registration is carried out in accordance with international standards.
• Management reforms are systematized to strengthen UNRWA efficiency and its capacity to serve Palestine refugees.
• Resource mobilization efforts attract the required additional resources.

The outcomes are for the period 2016-18[1] and will be pursued through Switzerland’s AdCom/SubCom role (facilitation and steering) and providing policy and financial support to specific initiatives.

• Vulnerable individuals and communities benefit from UNRWA’s strengthened protection response.
• UNRWA’s ability to carry out its mandate is safeguarded by securing adequate and predictable financial resources and by implementing measures to improve financial stability.
• Support efficient and effective management by ensuring that reforms (i.e. resource mobilization, new budget process, internal communication) are adequately funded and supported by stakeholders.

6^th donor to the Programme Budget; 10^th donor taking into account Programme Budget, Emergency Appeals and Projects together.

30 Members and Observers of the Advisory Commission, incl. host countries. The top five donors to the Programme Budget are USA, EC, UK, Sweden and Japan.

Switzerland actively seeks and facilitates coordination with donors and host countries. As Chair of the Advisory Commission (July 2016-June 2017) this role is even more prominent, together with the ability to exert systemic influence and to support UNRWA.

Phase 46 01.01.2017 - 31.12.2020   (Completed)