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Crises in the Middle East: Swiss Solidarity appeals for donations

The humanitarian situation in the crisis-hit regions of the Middle East – especially Gaza, northern Iraq and Syria – is and remains dramatic. Several of Swiss Solidarity’s Swiss partner NGOs have mobilised their relief effort and are delivering aid to the affected population. Swiss Solidarity is appealing for donations in order to support this desperately needed assistance. Donations can be made to the postal account 10-15000-6 endorsed “Middle East – Gaza / Iraq / Syria”, at www.swiss-solidarity.org or via the Swiss Solidarity App.

Tens of thousands of innocent people are currently exposed to the armed conflicts in the Middle East. Many have lost everything they own, others are internally displaced or have fled to neighbouring countries. The humanitarian need is immense.

Swiss NGOs active
Swiss Solidarity’s partner aid organizations have mobilised their relief effort to support the impacted population. Caritas Switzerland, Handicap International, Médecins du Monde and Terre des hommes – Helping children (Tdh) are currently delivering aid in the Gaza region. The focus is on the distribution of relief supplies as well as psychological assistance in processing the traumatic experience, in particular for children. So far, Swiss Solidarity has been able to support an aid project run by Tdh with a contribution of CHF 180,000.

The partner NGOs Caritas Switzerland, Handicap International, Medair and MSF / Doctors Without Borders are currently active in northern Iraq. Some have been in the region for several years and are therefore in a position to respond quickly and efficiently to deliver relief supplies where they are most urgently needed. So far, Swiss Solidarity has supported MSF / Doctors Without Borders with CHF 850,000 for Syrian refugees in a refugee camp in northern Iraq.

Swiss Solidarity has been raising donations for the victims of the Syria conflict since 2012. The great solidarity of the Swiss population with those affected is reflected in the total amount of 17 million francs donated to date. So far, Swiss Solidarity has supported 39 projects run by 10 partner NGOs in Syria and especially for Syrian refugees in the neighbouring countries of Lebanon, Iraq and Jordan. The need continues to grow in the face of the ongoing conflict and the approaching winter, which will bring even greater challenges to the refugees as well as the host nations Lebanon and Jordan.

Swiss Solidarity appeals for donations
Swiss Solidarity is launching a fundraising appeal in light of the precarious situation in the conflict-affected regions and the neighbouring Middle Eastern countries. Donations will be going to the Middle East. Donors can – if they wish – specify which of the three contexts they would like to support (Gaza, Iraq, Syria). If none is specified, Swiss Solidarity will decide based on current need which partner NGO aid project to support with the donation.

Donations can be made to the postal account 10-15000-6 endorsed “Middle East – Gaza / Iraq / Syria”, online or via the Swiss Solidarity App.