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Disaster risk reduction, emergency relief, reconstruction and protection

People being provided with water from a tank in South Sudan
In South Sudan, Swiss Humanitarian Aid has built several water supply points to provide local communities with drinking water. © SDC

Disaster risk reduction, emergency relief, reconstruction are three fields of activity of the Humanitarian Aid of SDC. This corresponds to the work that needs to be done before, during and after a crisis, armed conflict or disaster.

Prevention refers to all of the measures taken in terms of protection of the population and infrastructure.  Hazard prevention and vulnerability reduction are part of sustainable development and are promoted in all SDC projects and programmes. The main goal of emergency relief is to save lives and alleviate the worst suffering caused by a crisis. Two-thirds of the Humanitarian Aid’s funds are earmarked for emergency relief measures. Reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts can begin after an emergency when the situation has stabilised. In situations of protracted conflict, activities in all three fields may be carried out at the same time. 

On the other hand, protection of civilians is one of the four thematic priorities of the Humanitarian Aid of SDC beside disaster risk reduction, water/sanitation/hygiene, and gender-based sexual violence.

Disaster risk reduction

While natural disasters strike both rich and poor countries, the consequences differ greatly depending on the level of a country’s development.

Rapid Response and Emergency Relief

Swiss emergency relief operates through its experts from the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA) in crises, conflicts and disasters worldwide.

Reconstruction and rehabilitation

Generally speaking, reconstruction and rehabilitation is chiefly concerned with restoring the living conditions of the stricken community.

Protection

Survivors of armed conflict and natural disasters are exposed to the risk of physical and mental violence.

Current projects

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Contribution à l’appel éclair de UNHAS Haiti 2025

28.02.2025 - 31.12.2025

Haiti fait face à une crise prolongée. L’accès des acteurs humanitaires aux territoires se rétrécit. Depuis novembre 2024, les vols commerciaux desservant Port-au-Prince sont arrêtés jusqu’à nouvel ordre. Les populations en besoin d’assistance augmentent. L’appui du bureau humanitaire facilitera des ponts aériens pour un accès vital aux populations affectées, le déploiement du personnel, le transport de biens vitaux et des évacuations médicales.

UKR East Europe Foundation (EEF) – Building capacity of local CSOs to provide protection services to women and minorities (Capable and Resistant III)

01.01.2025 - 30.04.2027

Starting from 2022, Switzerland and East Europe Foundation (EEF) have supported around 40 projects of local humanitarian organizations in implementing protection activities to individuals affected by the war, while at the same time strengthening the organization’s capacities. Under Phase 2, SDC and EEF will support up to 35 additional projects to reach more beneficiaries and continue building the capacities of these NGOs to foster professionalism, principled action, and sustainability.

Flexible Emergency and Humanitarian Assistance

01.01.2025 - 31.12.2025

After nearly three years of full-scale Russian aggression, Swiss Humanitarian Aid remains committed to supporting vulnerable populations, including IDPs and returnees, in war-affected areas of Ukraine. Through small-scale humanitarian projects and the delivery of Swiss-donated relief items, Switzerland continues to address urgent needs, restore critical infrastructure, and enhance the resilience of affected communities.

Contribution to Education Cannot Wait Programme Budget 2025-2028

01.01.2025 - 31.12.2028

224 million crisis-affected children and adolescents are in need of education support. Education Cannot Wait (ECW) provides education opportunities in emergencies and protracted crises, bridging the gap between humanitarian and development cooperation. Through this partnership with ECW, Switzerland contributes to influencing global agenda setting, strengthening crisis-resilient education systems and affirming International Geneva as a global platform for education in emergencies. 

Supporting Durable Solutions in Sudan: Multi-Year Capacity to Operationalise Solutions

01.01.2025 - 31.12.2027

The Durable Solutions (DS) Unit will be established to support collective approaches to DS in Sudan, serving as a shared resource for all stakeholders at both national and regional levels. Operating under the strategic guidance of the Resident Coordinator/ Humanitarian Coordinator (RC/ HC), the DS Unit aims to provide a more structured and effective response to the needs of the affected populations. This initiative aligns with the UN Secretary-General’s Action Agenda and the recommendations from Professor Kaelin’s report. Its primary objective is to systematize and enhance the coordination, advisory, and information-sharing functions led by the RC/HC and the Durable Solutions Working Group.

Core Contribution to HEKS/EPER 2025-28

01.01.2025 - 31.12.2026

HEKS/EPER, through an extensive network of partners, engages in inclusion, equal rights, peacebuilding, and resilience by empowering people to overcome disparities and reduce poverty. The main focus is on the right and access to land and resources and their sustainable management, the right to food, agro-ecological production, inclusive markets, and climate justice and adaptation for improved resilience. Increasingly well anchored in humanitarian aid, HEKS/EPER provides emergency assistance.

Core Contributionfo r FondationT erre des hommes, Lausanne, 2025-2028

01.01.2025 - 31.12.2026

Fondation Terre des hommes is an independent, neutral and impartial Swiss organisation dedicated to ensure meaningfula nd lastingc hanges in the lives of childrena nd young people, particularlyt hose most at risk. It works in 26 countries, including in fragile and conflict settings, linking humanitarian response with development and peace promotion. Its focus on maternal and child health, children and young people on the move, and access to child friendly justice is very relevant for the implementation of the Swiss IC strategy 25-28.

Core Contribution for Gender Equality & Health Alliance (GEH Alliance) 2025-2028

01.01.2025 - 31.12.2026

The GEH Alliance is dedicated to addressing gender inequality and improving access to health for women, children and youth, in particular those affected by intersectional discrimination. Its focus is on addressing social norms, discrimination and violence that adversely affect health and well-being, mainly in fragile and crisis affected contexts. Its expertise on sexual and reproductive health and rights, sexual and gender-based violence, health systems strengthening and inclusion is very relevant in light of the Swiss IC strategy 2025-28.

SUD, OCHA: Sudan Humanitarian Fund 2025

01.01.2025 - 31.12.2025

The SHF is one of the UN’s country-based pooled funds, dedicated to saving lives and protecting people in need  by supporting a coordinated and principled humanitarian response. It enables a diverse range of frontline partner organizations  to  respond swiftly and  effectively  to humanitarian needs outlined in the Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP) and to critical emergencies. This ensures that funding reaches those most in need at the right time. 

Protecting children, women and youth affected by conflict through local actors in Borno State

01.12.2024 - 31.05.2027

The protracted conflict in North East Nigeria continues to expose vulnerable populations to multiple types of violence and abuse. This initiative implemented by local NGOs focuses on building community-based systems to prevent and respond to child protection and gender-based violence (GBV) risks. In line with SDC’s commitment to localization, this initiative will foster sustainable practices and local ownership to create a lasting impact for children, GBV survivors and their communities.    

Appui au Country Based Pooled Fund (CBPF) Haiti

22.11.2024 - 28.02.2026

Pour adresser les besoins humanitaires significatifs et croissants, la Suisse apporte un soutien financier de 940'000 CHF au nouveau Country Based Pooled Fund (CBPF) pour Haïti. Le CBPF sélectionne et finance des projets sur la base de la stratégie d’allocation pour adresser les besoins humanitaires identifiés en s’assurant que les thèmes transversaux, comme le genre, la localisation, la centralité de la protection, seront au centre du processus d’allocation des fonds aux projets.

Programme D’Accès à l’Information pour une Citoyenneté Engagée (ALICE)

20.11.2024 - 31.10.2027

La peur de se faire enlever, emprisonner ou interdire d’activités, a réduit au silence la plupart des contrepouvoirs. Les populations participent peu aux débats et sont exposées à cause du manque de contenus pertinents dans les médias et la désinformation. Avec ALICE, la Suisse consolide son partenariat avec les médias en offrant une information crédible, des espaces de dialogues inclusifs et une éducation des citoyens aux médias sociaux pour combattre la désinformation.

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Last update 03.01.2021