Bern, Switzerland: Sigrid Joss-Arnd, former Director of the Swiss Red Cross (SRK) Tibetan Relief Programme, passed away on 25 June 2026. A funeral service was held on Tuesday, 14 July 2026, to honour her life and remarkable humanitarian contribution to the welfare and integration of Tibetan refugees in Switzerland.

The urn burial took place at 2:00 p.m. at Seidenberg Cemetery in Muri-Gümligen, followed by a memorial service at 2:30 p.m. at the church in Muri near Bern. Family members, friends, colleagues, representatives of humanitarian organisations, and members of the Tibetan community gathered to pay their final respects and remember her decades of dedicated service.

The ceremony was attended by representatives of the Tibetan community and well-wishers, including Phuntsok Topgyal, UN Advocacy Officer from the Office of Tibet, who conveyed the official condolence letter from Thinlay Chukki, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The programme was also attended by Rikon Monastery Director Karma, Rikong Khen Rinpoche Tenzin Jangchup , three other monks, and more than 30 members of the Tibetan community.

Sigrid Joss-Arnd served as Director of the Swiss Red Cross Tibetan Relief Programme from 1978 to 1994. Through her compassion, commitment, and tireless efforts, she played a vital role in supporting Tibetan refugees who arrived in Switzerland during a challenging period of displacement and resettlement.

The Swiss Red Cross, together with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), became involved at an early stage in providing humanitarian assistance to Tibetan refugees living in camps in Nepal and India. After Switzerland decided to accept 1,000 Tibetan refugees, the Swiss federal government entrusted the Swiss Red Cross and the Association of Tibetan Homes (Verein Tibeter Heimstätten) with the responsibility of providing accommodation, care, social support, and assistance with employment opportunities.

The programme was guided by the “Commission of the Swiss Red Cross for Tibetan Refugees in Switzerland,” under the leadership of its President, Helen Vischer, who remained deeply committed to the successful settlement and welfare of Tibetan refugees.

The practical work was carried out through the Relief Operations Department of the Swiss Red Cross. During the early years of the programme, Rosmarie Schwarzenbach served in the “Tibetans” section with great dedication and sensitivity. In 1978, Joss-Arnd succeeded her, bringing valuable experience from her previous work with the Swiss Service for Technical Cooperation in Nepal and the Association of Tibetan Homes.

During her tenure, Joss-Arnd helped address many important needs of Tibetan refugees, including family reunification, housing arrangements, employment support, and assistance with daily challenges of adapting to a new country. The programme was supported by thousands of sponsors across Switzerland whose regular contributions helped provide security and stability for Tibetan families.

The work carried out by Joss-Arnd and her colleagues required great responsibility and sensitivity. While maintaining the humanitarian principles of impartiality and fairness, they faced difficult decisions regarding individual cases, family reunification, and settlement opportunities. The wardens and supervisors of Tibetan residential homes also played an important role by providing daily guidance and becoming a trusted source of support for refugees during their early years in Switzerland.

The Tibetan community remembers Sigrid Joss-Arnd with deep respect and gratitude for her kindness, professionalism, and lifelong dedication to humanitarian service. Her contribution remains an important chapter in the history of Tibetan refugee settlement in Switzerland and a lasting symbol of compassion, friendship, and solidarity between the Swiss and Tibetan communities.

– Report filed by Office of Tibet, Geneva