Contribution to the humanitarian Access Support Unit (ASU) in the occupied Palestinian territory


Coordinated access is key for the humanitarian response to the Gaza strip and the West Bank. Switzerland supports the work of the Access Support Unit (ASU) – the UN body that facilities humanitarian access for people and goods in dialogue with relevant authorities in a critical moment. The Swiss contribution is part of the international burden sharing. It supports the timely and safe delivery of humanitarian and development assistance and is to direct benefit of Switzerland’s activities in the oPt.

Pays/région Thème Période Budget
Territoire palestinien occupé
Aide humanitaire & RRC
Efficacité humanitaire
Protection, accès & sécurité
01.01.2024 - 31.12.2025
CHF  625’000
Contexte Access and movement restrictions on goods and people differ greatly across the oPt, primarily due to the range of political, administrative and security measures implemented by Israeli, Egyptian, Jordanian, and Palestinian authorities. These restrictions increase the impoverishment and vulnerability of Palestinians within the oPt, and directly impede humanitarian and development operations. The hostilities in Gaza that broke out on 07 October 2023, has imposed additional restrictions on the import of goods and the freedom of movement of Palestinians, but also of international humanitarian staff. Violence and access restrictions have also increased in the West Bank. In dialogue with the respective authorities, the ASU helps facilitate access for the delivery of humanitarian and development assistance and advance the protection of civilians in the oPt.
Objectifs Improved access of staff and goods to deliver humanitarian and development assistance to communities in the oPt.
Groupes cibles

Direct beneficiaries: Staff of Member States/donors, UN agencies, international and local NGOs

Indirect beneficiaries: Beneficiaries of humanitarian and development projects, local population

Effets à moyen terme

Outcome 1: High level political advocacy on access in the oPt is ensured

Outcome 2: Access of people is facilitated

Outcome 3: Access of goods and materials is facilitated

Résultats

Principaux résultats attendus:  

  • Analysis and policy recommendations to inform high Level policy dialogue on access of people and goods is undertaken
  • Follow-up on agreed recommendations from High Level Political Dialogue is undertaken and progress reports issued
  • UN agencies and NGOs receive coordinated technical access support for the movement of staff in accordance with humanitarian principles, and international law to better direct assistance to the civilian population
  • Policies and practices that restrict humanitarian space are addressed through a common approach to humanitarian access and coordinated negotiation efforts
  • Information, analysis, and messaging on restrictions to humanitarian space, including gendered dimensions, are made publicly available to support advocacy efforts with regards to access of the civilian population and basic service provision


Direction/office fédéral responsable DDC
Partenaire de projet Partenaire contractuel
Organisme des Nations Unies (ONU)
  • United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)


Coordination avec d'autres projets et acteurs United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS), Office of the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO) 
Budget Phase en cours Budget de la Suisse CHF    625’000 Budget suisse déjà attribué CHF    500’000 Budget y compris partenaires de projet CHF    3’684’000 Projet total depuis la première phase Budget de la Suisse CHF   0 Budget y compris partenaires de projet CHF   625’000
Phases du projet Phase 1 01.01.2024 - 31.12.2025   (Phase en cours)