At the launch of the Joint Response Plan in Geneva, Switzerland reaffirmed its commitment to the efforts to address the refugee crisis in Bangladesh. It is now providing CHF 10 million to step up its own relief efforts, focusing on water and sanitation as well as protection and disaster risk reduction. Switzerland will also dispatch additional SHA experts to take part in the relief operation in Cox's Bazar district. Six Swiss experts are currently on the ground, seconded to UN organisations or helping to coordinate Swiss Humanitarian Aid projects.
With this latest contribution, Switzerland has committed a total of CHF 30 million to the operation to provide humanitarian relief to Rohingya refugees. Switzerland has also called on Myanmar and Bangladesh to ensure the voluntary return in safety and dignity of displaced Rohingyas to their homes. As a prerequisite for a lasting solution, Switzerland calls for compliance with international law, in particular for the protection and safeguarding of human rights in Myanmar's Rakhine state, the Rohingyas' home region.
The Joint Response Plan, drawn up by over 130 humanitarian organisations, seeks to raise USD 920 million to meet two urgent objectives: first, to meet the basic needs of some 900,000 refugees for shelter, food, healthcare, water and sanitation and, second, to support local communities whose living conditions have worsened since the refugee crisis began because of increasing deforestation, waste production and use of water and other resources.
Further information:
Humanitarian Aid: saving lives and alleviating suffering
SDC's engagement in Bangladesh
Address for enquiries:
FDFA Information
Federal Palace West Wing
CH-3003 Bern, Switzerland
Tel.: +41 58 462 31 53
Fax: +41 58 464 90 47
E-mail: info@eda.admin.ch
