Some of the UK's major aid agencies may be facing a funding shortfall once Britain leaves the European Union.
Many had hoped that funding might continue after Brexit, especially if a deal is agreed.
Aid agencies in non-EU member Switzerland have regularly received EU funding, based on the strong bilateral ties Switzerland has with the bloc.
But an EU letter sent to 10 Swiss non-governmental organisations suggests problems ahead.
It explains that as from 1 January this year, Swiss agencies will no longer be eligible for funding. The reason: there is no longer "a suitable legal basis" to award money to organisations not based in the EU.
Who suffers?
In Switzerland, affected agencies have been told that programmes already under way can at least continue to their expected end.
We focus on the most vulnerable people in the most fragile countries… and this is in-line with ECHO's strategy," said Alexander Koch.
In Switzerland, affected agencies have been told that programmes already under way can at least continue to their expected end.
Caritas' work with children in Syria will not be affected. But no further projects will be approved, so Caritas proposals for several further aid programmes worth €10m - and for which it had expected approval at the end of this month - will not go ahead.
And from now on Swiss NGO's cannot propose or lead ECHO funded programmes, meaning that expertise in humanitarian work which they have built up over years will not be used.
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