Middle East (Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq)

Ongoing and past armed conflicts have led to extensive humanitarian needs in the Middle East. Switzerland is supporting delivery of aid and services to protect people affected by violence and is actively involved in peace promotion and the prevention of violent conflicts. It also works to ensure sustainable water management, quality education and income creation for refugees, internally displaced people, vulnerable migrants and host communities in Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and Turkey.

Map of the region Middle East (Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq)
© FDFA

The Middle East remains at the centre of attention of international and Switzerland’s engagement. Present and past conflicts have led to violations of human rights and international humanitarian law (IHL). Since 2011, the Syria crisis has affected the lives of at least 12 million people. More than 5.5 million Syrians are registered as refugees in neighbouring countries (Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey and Iraq) and 6 million are yet internally displaced. The number of returns is very low. In addition, about half a million people have been killed and countless are missing or detained. Iraq is transitioning from an emergency to a recovery phase. Nevertheless, about 1.6 million people remain internally displaced and almost 7 million people in need of humanitarian assistance. The protracted situation continues to overstretch the capacity of hosting communities and governments. 

The overarching aim of Switzerland in the Middle East is to create a safe environment for conflict-affected and other vulnerable persons by saving lives and empowering community, reducing fragility and generating development perspective. At policy level, it promotes good governance as well as the respect of international human rights, including refugee rights, and international humanitarian law. It also supports conflict prevention and transformation.

Protection and Migration

Protection for conflict-affected and vulnerable persons in Syria

In Syria, the ongoing-armed conflict has forced over 6 million people to leave their place of origin and forcefully move within their own country. On average, people have been displaced two or three times since the onset of the crisis, increasing their vulnerability. These especially vulnerable people are in need of housing, water, education and other services. Switzerland is supporting vulnerable households in addressing these basic needs including livelihoods, through cash assistance and training.

Disaster risk reduction, emergency relief, reconstruction and protection

Water, Hygiene and Sanitation

Improved access to water and sanitation in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon

Lebanon hosts more than a million Syrian refugees. As a result, the pressure on natural resources such as water is very high. In the Bekaa valley, bordering Syria, SDC supports local water authorities managing the water and wastewater monitoring system. SDC works with the Bekaa Water establishment to provide clean and safe water to host communities and Syrian refugees living in the valley.

Water

Education and Income

Strengthen quality and foster inclusive education systems

Conflicts and displacements have put additional pressure on already fragile local economies. Switzerland’s engagement aims to reduce the economic impact by facilitating equitable access to both education and income. Through the strengthening of national education capacities, it aims to improve the learning of children, contribute to reach their education potential and foster the completion of compulsory education. Through supporting income-generating opportunities and the private sector as well as promoting legal frameworks for a decent income, it aims to improve prospects for equally women’s and men’s livelihoods. By an including host communities and refugees in the education and income, the approach aims to strengthen social cohesion and prevent further violence.

Education and vocational skills development

Peace Promotion and Conflict Prevention

Supporting conditions for peace and reconciliation

Switzerland aims to address root causes of violence and preventing violent conflicts. It also works towards peace through the restoration of relationships and social systems serving the needs of the whole population as well as the resolution of conflicts. Switzerland supports these efforts through processes including state and non-state actors at community or national level and through working on legal and political frameworks.

Approach and partners

The drivers of protracted conflicts in the Middle East and their interrelationships require a regional response. With a “Whole of Government Approach”, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the Peace and Human Rights Division (PHRD), and the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) work in close cooperation to achieve the objectives of Switzerland’s international cooperation in the region.

SDC’s engagement focuses on four action lines:

  1. cash and in-kind contributions to humanitarian and development organisations,
  2. direct action,
  3. secondments of technical experts from the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA) to UN organisations and
  4. the promotion of international coordination and humanitarian diplomacy.

PHRD support consists of providing expertise to multilateral and national actors through secondments via the FDFA’s Expert Pool for Civilian Peacebuilding or its in-house experts, facilitating and hosting dialogues and building capacities directly or via NGOs, technical and other financial support to international and national NGOs.

Switzerland's key partners in the region are:

  • national and local actors in the countries concerned
  • international organisations: the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), etc.
  • multilateral organisations: the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), the Office of the Special Envoy for Syria, United Nationals Development Programme (UNDP) etc.
  • local civil society organisations
  • international and Swiss NGOs: Terre des hommes and MEDAIR, among others

Projects Iraq

Object 1 – 2 of 2

  • 1

Supporting displacement-affected communities to access essential services and achieve durable solutions in Diyala and Ninewa governorates, Iraq

15.04.2023 - 14.04.2025

Although the Islamic State (IS) was defeated territorially more than five years ago, 2.5 million people in Iraq are in need of humanitarian assistance. This project aims to address key protection issues, such as lack of access to civil legal documents, in displacement-affected communities in Diyala and Ninewa governorates. The goal is to achieve durable solutions through access to essential services and handover to national agencies through capacity building and advocacy.


Contribution to UNHCR Programme Budget 2023-2024 (earmarked)

01.01.2023 - 31.12.2024

UNHCR is one of Switzerland’s key multilateral partners due to its unique mandate by the General Assembly of United Nations to provide protection and assistance to refugees, asylum seekers, refugee returnees, and stateless persons. The strategic direction 2022-26 concretise the overall mandate of UNHCR for the upcoming years. Contributing to these directions allows Switzerland to achieve in particular the human development goal defined in the Dispatch to Parliament on International Cooperation for 2021-24.

Object 1 – 2 of 2

  • 1

Object 1 – 12 of 64

Project completed

Response to Earthquake M7.8 February 6th 2023 in Turkey and Syria

06.02.2023 - 30.04.2023

Following a severe Earthquake in the region of Gaziantep of a magnitude of 7.8 which caused tremendous destruction, humanitarian assistance will be provided under the form 1) of the deployment of the Rescue Chain; 2) the sending of a SET; 3) in-kind donations and 4) financial contributions for multilateral organisations or NGOs (in a separate credit proposal). Decisions on optimum use of funds will be taken by the Crisis Cell led by the HA delegate in close coordination with desk and CH representations in the region.


Contribution to UNRWA's Programme Budget 2023-2024

01.01.2023 - 31.12.2024

UNRWA is one of Switzerland’s key multilateral partners in the Middle East, due to its important contributions towards stability and peace in the region and its role in providing services and humanitarian assistance to people in need. Under its Programme Budget, UNRWA ensures universal access to quality primary health care and to basic education to 5.8 million registered Palestine refugees. It also provides targeted relief and social services to vulnerable refugees.


Contribution to UNHCR Programme Budget 2023-2024 (earmarked)

01.01.2023 - 31.12.2024

UNHCR is one of Switzerland’s key multilateral partners due to its unique mandate by the General Assembly of United Nations to provide protection and assistance to refugees, asylum seekers, refugee returnees, and stateless persons. The strategic direction 2022-26 concretise the overall mandate of UNHCR for the upcoming years. Contributing to these directions allows Switzerland to achieve in particular the human development goal defined in the Dispatch to Parliament on International Cooperation for 2021-24.


Project completed

Contributions to OCHA Field Operations in 2023

01.01.2023 - 31.12.2023

The goal of OCHA is to save lives and protect people in humanitarian crises. It contributes to principled and effective humanitarian response in sudden-onset disasters and protracted crises through its five core functions: Coordination, Advocacy and communication, Humanitarian financing, Policy and Information management. In its central coordinating role OCHA works in partner-ship with local, national and international actors.


Project completed

Allocation of SDC Funding (MENA Europe Division) in 2023 to ICRC Operations in oPt, Syria

01.01.2023 - 31.12.2023

SDC funding to ICRC operations allows the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to respond proactively and to provide immediate protection and assistance for people affected by armed conflict and other situations of violence. In line with the Good Humanitarian Donorship (GHD) principles, Switzerland recognizes the necessity of predictable and flexible funding to respond to changing needs in humanitarian crises.


Project completed

2023 Annual Allocation to WFP Country Strategic Plans

01.01.2023 - 31.12.2023

Against historic levels of food security due to conflicts, climate change and COVID-19, Switzerland supports annually in 28 SDC priority countries operations of the World Food Programme (WFP) to provide humanitarian and development assistance. It funds indistinctively Country Strategic Plans, incorporating all WFP programmes or projects, based on affected population needs and potential synergies with other local partners, especially national governments and civil society.


Project completed

Allocation of SDC Funding to WFP Operations in 2019

01.01.2019 - 31.12.2019

In line with the Good Humanitarian Donorship (GHD) principles, Switzerland recognizes the necessity of predictable and flexible funding to respond to changing needs in humanitarian crises. SDC funding to WFP operations allows the World Food Programme (WFP) to respond proactively and to provide immediate food assistance in life-threatening situations.


Project completed

Allocation of SDC Funding to ICRC Operations in 2019

01.01.2019 - 31.12.2019

In line with the Good Humanitarian Donorship (GHD) principles, Switzerland recognizes the necessity of predictable and flexible funding to respond to changing needs in humanitarian crises. SDC funding to ICRC operations allows the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to respond proactively and to provide immediate protection and assistance for people affected by armed conflict and other situations of violence.


Project completed

Contributions to OCHA Field Operations in 2019

01.01.2019 - 31.12.2019

OCHA’s mission is to coordinate the global emergency response, to save lives and protect people in humanitarian crises. OCHA advocates for effective and principled humanitarian action by all, for all, in partnership with national and international actors in order to alleviate human suffering in sudden-onset disasters and protracted crises. It is responsible for bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent and timely response to emergencies. Therefore, SDC seeks to provide support to OCHA field and regional offices in relevant humanitarian contexts, in line with SDC geographic and thematic priorities.


Project completed

SDC Education Fund

01.01.2019 - 31.12.2022

As part of its increased commitment for Education and of the implementation of SDC’s Education Strategy, the SDC launches an Education Fund in order to incentivize innovation and the application of new approaches in basic education/vocational skills development and through educational activities across sectors. Innovation can have a catalytic effect on the effectiveness of programmes in and through education. Education is a core enabler for sustainable development and is an important lever in Switzerland’s commitment to promote human and economic development, peace and stability. 


Project completed
Project completed

Allocation of SDC Funding to UNHCR Operations in 2017

01.01.2017 - 31.12.2017

In line with the Good Humanitarian Donorship (GHD) principles, Switzerland recognizes the necessity of predictable and flexible funding to respond to changing needs in humanitarian crises. SDC funding to UNHCR operations allows the UN Refugee Agency to respond proactively and to provide immediate protection and assistance to refugees and internally displaced people in life-threatening situations and underfunded emergencies.

Object 1 – 12 of 64

Projects Lebanon

Object 1 – 7 of 7

  • 1

Contribution to UNICEF Transition and Resilience Education Fund (TREF)

01.07.2023 - 31.12.2024

Switzerland’s contribution to UNICEF’s Transition and Resilience Education Fund (TREF) in Lebanon ensures access to relevant quality public education for the most vulnerable children of all nationalities to avoid the scenario of a lost generation after 4 years of disrupted education. Amidst Lebanon’s economic crisis, TREF further contributes to improving the governance, efficiency, inclusiveness, and overall resilience of Lebanon public education system.


Program Contribution for Fondation Terre des hommes 2023-2024

01.01.2023 - 31.12.2024

The program of the Terre des hommes Foundation (TdhF) aims to sustainably reduce child mortality and morbidity and to secure access to health, sanitation and clean water for mothers and children (0-18 years) in severe poverty. Children in contexts of migration, conflict and disasters, and child victims of violence are better protected. International standards in child-friendly justice are promoted. Humanitarian interventions in fragile contexts, combined with poverty reduction and sustainable development are promoted through innovative work with children and youths.


Contribution to UNRWA's Programme Budget 2023-2024

01.01.2023 - 31.12.2024

UNRWA is one of Switzerland’s key multilateral partners in the Middle East, due to its important contributions towards stability and peace in the region and its role in providing services and humanitarian assistance to people in need. Under its Programme Budget, UNRWA ensures universal access to quality primary health care and to basic education to 5.8 million registered Palestine refugees. It also provides targeted relief and social services to vulnerable refugees.


Contribution to UNHCR Programme Budget 2023-2024 (earmarked)

01.01.2023 - 31.12.2024

UNHCR is one of Switzerland’s key multilateral partners due to its unique mandate by the General Assembly of United Nations to provide protection and assistance to refugees, asylum seekers, refugee returnees, and stateless persons. The strategic direction 2022-26 concretise the overall mandate of UNHCR for the upcoming years. Contributing to these directions allows Switzerland to achieve in particular the human development goal defined in the Dispatch to Parliament on International Cooperation for 2021-24.


LEB/JOR DANIDA - Regional Development and Protection Programme (RDPP)

01.01.2023 - 31.12.2026

In Lebanon and Jordan, the protracted refugee crisis, structural fragility, political and economic crises, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic have led to increased poverty and unemployment, especially among youth and women. Switzerland will support vulnerable communities in both countries to access their rights, enjoy increased safety and enhance their self-reliance through a combination of livelihoods support, protection, research and advocacy contributing to progress towards durable and sustainable solutions.


LEB Access and Quality Education for refugee and vulnerable host community children

01.10.2021 - 30.09.2024

The education sector in Lebanon is facing multiple crises, leading to the discontinuity of learning for many children. Switzerland’s contribution to Plan International and Save the Children will provide children in the Bekaa and Baalbek-Hermel governorates with improved access to and retention in quality, safe and inclusive education. The project follows a triple nexus approach by considering immediate humanitarian needs and aiming at the reintegration of out-of-school children while fostering social cohesion in a context of mounting tensions. 


Decent Work for Migrants in the Middle East

15.07.2019 - 31.03.2024

This program contributes to decent work opportunities for migrants and refugees in the Middle East which is one of the largest migrant hosting regions globally due to economic demands and displacement from conflict. It complements the focus on Asian migrants with migrants from Africa and seek closer partnership with the private sector. Due to its relevant expertise and experience in decent work and fair recruitment, Switzerland is well placed to contribute to an improved protection and an enhanced wellbeing of migrant workers and self-reliance for refugees, to maximize the productive potential of migration, and to counter irregular and unsafe migration.

Object 1 – 7 of 7

  • 1

Projects Syria

Object 1 – 2 of 2

  • 1

Contribution to UNRWA's Programme Budget 2023-2024

01.01.2023 - 31.12.2024

UNRWA is one of Switzerland’s key multilateral partners in the Middle East, due to its important contributions towards stability and peace in the region and its role in providing services and humanitarian assistance to people in need. Under its Programme Budget, UNRWA ensures universal access to quality primary health care and to basic education to 5.8 million registered Palestine refugees. It also provides targeted relief and social services to vulnerable refugees.


Contribution to UNHCR Programme Budget 2023-2024 (earmarked)

01.01.2023 - 31.12.2024

UNHCR is one of Switzerland’s key multilateral partners due to its unique mandate by the General Assembly of United Nations to provide protection and assistance to refugees, asylum seekers, refugee returnees, and stateless persons. The strategic direction 2022-26 concretise the overall mandate of UNHCR for the upcoming years. Contributing to these directions allows Switzerland to achieve in particular the human development goal defined in the Dispatch to Parliament on International Cooperation for 2021-24.

Object 1 – 2 of 2

  • 1

Projects Jordan

Object 1 – 12 of 13

System Strengthening Partnership Programme of the Ministry of Education Jordan and through UNESCO

01.07.2023 - 31.12.2025

In Jordan, the access to inclusive, protective quality education for vulnerable young people is impacted by natural and human-made hazards, including the protracted Syria crisis and climate change. Switzerland’s contribution to UNESCO for the System Strengthening Partnership Programme of the Ministry of Education enhances governance for evidence-based and crisis-sensitive education planning and delivery, as per Jordan’s Education Strategic Plan 2018-2025.


Sanitation Solutions for underserved Communities in Jordan

01.06.2023 - 31.05.2026

Switzerland will build a decentralised wastewater treatment plant in Azraq. Proven Swiss know-how in wastewater management will be applied to increase the efficiency of the treatment plant and to demonstrate how wastewater can be converted into physical and financial resources. The chosen approach for reducing freshwater consumption in agriculture by replacing it with safely treated waste water, in one of the most water-scarce countries, will be promoted based on the implementation of this flagship project.


Enhancing Protection and Justice for Vulnerable Children and Youth in Jordan

01.02.2023 - 31.12.2025

Children are among the most affected by multiple crisis in Jordan. The holistic child protection intervention proposed by Terre des hommes (Tdh) addresses and responds to the complex and intertwined protection needs of the most vulnerable children and youth in Jordan. It links quality of services with institutionalcapacity building and advocacy, thereby fostering a right-based and more sustainable child protection system and addressing hindering social norms in a comprehensive way.


JOR NRC Safe and Inclusive Schools (SIS) Programme

01.02.2023 - 31.12.2025

Switzerland aims to reduce barriers to sustainable solutions for children and adolescents through education programming in Jordan. With the project planned initiatives, capacity strengthening, evidence-based research and training, the school community will be mobilized for positive action within their schools and the improved knowledge and practices will increase the overall quality of teaching and learning, which in turn will improve retention rates in formal schools.


Contribution to UNRWA's Programme Budget 2023-2024

01.01.2023 - 31.12.2024

UNRWA is one of Switzerland’s key multilateral partners in the Middle East, due to its important contributions towards stability and peace in the region and its role in providing services and humanitarian assistance to people in need. Under its Programme Budget, UNRWA ensures universal access to quality primary health care and to basic education to 5.8 million registered Palestine refugees. It also provides targeted relief and social services to vulnerable refugees.


JOR Medair: Social protection program towards improving resilience of refugees and vulnerable Jordanians

01.01.2023 - 31.12.2025

The project initiates a third phase during which Medair Jordan will continue to reach new households in Amman, Irbid and Mafraq with case management and cash for protection, including emergency cash assistance, while focusing on livelihoods solutions to improve the resilience of refugees and vulnerable Jordanians. The project will also build and strengthen the institutional capacities of local actors to provide social protection services through coordination and experience and knowledge exchange.


Contribution to UNHCR Programme Budget 2023-2024 (earmarked)

01.01.2023 - 31.12.2024

UNHCR is one of Switzerland’s key multilateral partners due to its unique mandate by the General Assembly of United Nations to provide protection and assistance to refugees, asylum seekers, refugee returnees, and stateless persons. The strategic direction 2022-26 concretise the overall mandate of UNHCR for the upcoming years. Contributing to these directions allows Switzerland to achieve in particular the human development goal defined in the Dispatch to Parliament on International Cooperation for 2021-24.


JPOs4UN Programme 2023-2028

01.01.2023 - 31.12.2028

The JPOs4UN programme aims at increasing the presence of Switzerland in the UN by augmenting the number of Swiss nationals working in SDC priority UN organizations. Switzerland directly funds partner humanitarian UN organizations to hire 11 Swiss young professionals on a three-year Junior Programme Officer contract; the Swiss foundation CINFO provides administrative support and career counselling. Swiss nationals add to a qualified and diverse UN workforce to implement the Agenda 2030.


LEB/JOR DANIDA - Regional Development and Protection Programme (RDPP)

01.01.2023 - 31.12.2026

In Lebanon and Jordan, the protracted refugee crisis, structural fragility, political and economic crises, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic have led to increased poverty and unemployment, especially among youth and women. Switzerland will support vulnerable communities in both countries to access their rights, enjoy increased safety and enhance their self-reliance through a combination of livelihoods support, protection, research and advocacy contributing to progress towards durable and sustainable solutions.


Water Management and Livelihoods for Underserved Communities in Jordan

01.04.2022 - 31.03.2024

Jordan has attempted to implement water and agricultural management systems and policies in urban areas to face the challenge of limited natural resources. In Zubarieya Village, the community has created an environment where they manage their own ecosystems through a community-based approach. This project will focus on improving and maintaining the water supply system, and support local governance system to ensure proper water management and agriculture systems, protect groundwater and soil, and facilitate sustainable livelihoods.


Decent Work for Migrants in the Middle East

15.07.2019 - 31.03.2024

This program contributes to decent work opportunities for migrants and refugees in the Middle East which is one of the largest migrant hosting regions globally due to economic demands and displacement from conflict. It complements the focus on Asian migrants with migrants from Africa and seek closer partnership with the private sector. Due to its relevant expertise and experience in decent work and fair recruitment, Switzerland is well placed to contribute to an improved protection and an enhanced wellbeing of migrant workers and self-reliance for refugees, to maximize the productive potential of migration, and to counter irregular and unsafe migration.


Urban Planning and Infrastructure in Migration Contexts

01.01.2021 - 30.06.2024

This Project aims at improving access to reliable services and socio-economic opportunities for migrants in urban settlements of supported cities in Myanmar, Egypt, Jordan and Cameroon. It will do so by developing inclusive urban development plans and link necessary economic infrastructure investments to financing in those settlements.

Object 1 – 12 of 13