Multilateral Humanitarian Affairs (Multi-H)

The Multilateral Humanitarian Affairs (Multi-H) Section represents the priorities and interests of Swiss Humanitarian Aid within multilateral and international organisations. It is responsible for institutional cooperation with humanitarian UN organisations as well as organisations of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. 

The Multi-H Section represents the priorities and interests of Swiss Humanitarian Aid within multilateral and international organisations. It is responsible for institutional cooperation with humanitarian UN organisations as well as organisations of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and manages Swiss contributions to these organisations. 

Partner organisations

The Multi-H Section's main partners are:

• The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) and its funds: the UN's Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) and the Country-based Pooled Funds (CBPF)
• The World Food Programme (WFP)
• The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
• The Office of Emergency Programmes (EMOPS/UNICEF)
• The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
• The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)
• Various international NGOs which focus on multilateral humanitarian issues and are committed to reform in the humanitarian system

The Multi-H Section represents Switzerland on the steering committees of these organisations where it endeavours to improve efficiency, effectiveness and collaboration between the organisations. It works closely with the missions in Geneva, New York and Rome and with Switzerland's representations in SDC partner countries.

Together with these organisations and other donor countries worldwide, the Multi-H Section aims to support people in need, people displaced by armed conflict, crises or natural disasters, and people requiring protection or suffering from hunger.

Priorities

Within multilateral humanitarian processes, such as the 'Good Humanitarian Donorship' initiative and the 'Grand Bargain', the Multi-H Section is also committed to principled humanitarian action, respect for international humanitarian law, forward-looking humanitarian aid, the localisation agenda and the strengthening of local actors, the involvement of the people affected – especially women – in how aid is structured, combating gender-specific violence and more environmentally aware humanitarian aid. As part of the Global Compact on Refugees, it is working to achieve greater international cooperation on refugees and to improve protection of refugees in SDC partner countries.