07.04.2006 - Comunicado de prensa
Annual Conference of Swiss Humanitarian Aid 2006: "On the run"

The theme of this event refers to the millions of people who have had to flee their homes because of conflicts or crises.

The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation staged its Annual Conference of Swiss Humanitarian Aid and the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA) on Friday, 7 April in the Kongresshaus Biel. This event with the theme "On the run" was attended by more than 800 invited guests, including many representatives of diplomatic missions and of SDC's main partners.

Examples from four countries were used to illustrate the consequences for the victims of these forced migratory movements. Uganda was given as an example of the themes of protecting children against forced military conscription and sexual exploitation. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the focus was on the issue of integrating refugees, and particularly ethnic minorities, into society. Turning to the Middle East, and more specifically to Syria, the living conditions of Palestinian refugees who have been living in camps for more than 60 years were spotlighted. And Myanmar featured in a presentation on the commitment for Burmese refugees in Thailand.

The Annual Conference provided a platform for several prominent speakers. After a welcome address by  Hans Stöckli, National Councillor and Mayor of Biel, Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, talked on "Switzerland's commitment in favour of refugees", while Karen Koning Abu Zayd, Commissioner-General of UNRWA (the United Nations agency charged with assistance to Palestinian refugees) spoke about the living conditions of "Palestine refugees in changing political and economic circumstances". Ambassador Walter Fust, Director-General of SDC, gave a presentation entitled "Voluntary and involuntary migration: the challenges for international cooperation". Toni Frisch, Delegate for Humanitarian Aid and SHA Head, wrapped up the proceedings with a look back at 2005 – a particularly intensive year for Switzerland's Humanitarian Aid – and forward to the new challenges with which it would be confronted in the next few years.

Further information:
Jean-Philippe Jutzi, SDC Spokesman,
Tel. 031 324 91 68 or 079 292 08 49;
e-mail jean-philippe.jutzi@deza.admin.ch.