SDC steps up humanitarian support for people in Lebanon, Syria and Iran
Bern, 16.03.2026 — The war in the Middle East is having a serious impact on the populations of Lebanon, Syria and Iran. In view of this situation, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) has set aside a humanitarian support package of CHF 6.5 million, which will focus on Lebanon and includes a regional component for Syria. The SDC will also release emergency aid for Iran.
In Lebanon, mass evacuation orders by Israel have forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee. According to UN figures, more than 820,000 people have been internally displaced so far. Almost 100,000 people have fled across the border to Syria.
In response, the SDC has increased its emergency humanitarian aid. It will provide additional funds and prioritise existing programmes based on the urgency of requirements. In total, CHF 6.5 million has been set aside for Lebanon and Syria: CHF 3.5 million from the existing budget for emergency humanitarian aid and CHF 3 million in additional emergency relief.
Emergency aid via the Red Cross, the UN and other partners
The contributions are channelled to key partners in the areas of protection, emergency shelters, and water, food, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). These include, in particular, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) – which works closely with the Lebanese Red Cross – the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). Lebanese and international NGOs will also be supported via the Lebanon Humanitarian Fund. These partners enable aid to be distributed quickly and directly where it is most urgently required.
An expert from the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA) is working with the ICRC and the regional water supply authority to support the drinking water supply in the Bekaa Valley. Among other things, Switzerland is financing the chlorination of drinking water in the public water supply – a measure that is particularly urgent in view of the sharp rise in the number of displaced people in the region.
Humanitarian aid for Iran
The humanitarian situation in Iran has also deteriorated significantly due to the war. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has launched an emergency appeal to raise CHF 40 million. Swiss Humanitarian Aid has examined the appeal and has released CHF 1 million in emergency aid.
Humanitarian aid and neutrality
Aid and support activities that serve a humanitarian or medical purpose do not fall within the scope of neutrality law. Such actions are therefore in line with Swiss neutrality.