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A group of young people are sitting around a table. Together they are doing schoolwork.

International cooperation and multilateral organisation 07.02.2023

"The financial sector can play an important role on the path to sustainable funding for education"

Economist Anja Hochberg will participate in the International Cooperation Forum (IC Forum) in Geneva on 15 February. In an interview, she explains why she is committed to education and what it takes to finance education projects.

View of the snow-covered camp for internally displaced people in the town of Selkin in northwestern Syria.

Humanitarian aid 09.01.2023

"The humanitarian situation is precarious – indeed it's catastrophic"

One of the biggest humanitarian crises in the world is taking place in and around Syria. Switzerland's international cooperation has been active on the ground since the outbreak of the conflict in 2011 to alleviate suffering and save lives. In this interview, Caroline Tissot, the SDC's regional head of international cooperation for the Middle East, explains how Switzerland is working to protect the Syrian civilian population and their livelihoods, and to provide education.

Photo of a woman in the background wearing a yellow dress. A rice crop is in the foreground of the photo.

Climate, water and nutrition 09.12.2022

Global food crisis: acting collaboratively

The global food crisis is one of the main challenges the world faces today. As is often the case, it is the most vulnerable people who are affected first and suffer disproportionately from its impact. In response, SDC acts in a collaborative and crosscutting manner to mitigate it.

A farmer in Aswan Governorate sits cross-legged in his field near the Aswan High Dam.

Europe, Middle East and North Africa 07.11.2022

The SDC is actively engaged in improving drinking water management in Egypt

The SDC has been working in Egypt since 2017 to improve drinking water management and make water distribution more equitable in disadvantaged neighbourhoods of the Aswan Governorate. Egypt, where COP27 is being held in early November, is among the African countries with the highest water stress.

SDC Assistant Director General Nicolas Randin visited beneficiaries of the electric vehicle in Domboshava, Zimbabwe.

Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and Latin America 06.12.2022

AIDS: "The progress achieved in the past 20 years is impressive"

Mozambique and Zimbabwe are two of the priority countries for Switzerland's international cooperation work. In November, Nicolas Randin, SDC Assistant Director General and head of the Sub-Saharan Africa Division, paid working visits to Mozambique and Zimbabwe.

Cover image of the latest podcast episode, with its name and number.

International cooperation and multilateral organisation 12.12.2022

A Plus For Humanity: the SDC podcast

Every day, a great number of Swiss women and men work on the SDC's development cooperation and humanitarian aid projects. In the SDC podcast, they tell us about their projects and provide insight into the lives of local people. The sixteenth episode of the SDC podcast 'A Plus for Humanity' takes a look at Burkina Faso and highlights the importance of education for people living in a country suffering from years of war.

Girls' school in Syria: SDC Director General Patricia Danzi, Ambassador Maya Tissafi and others talking in front of a blackboard to a classroom of schoolgirls.

Europe, Middle East and North Africa 15.11.2022

Syria: humanitarian aid regardless of conflict lines

Together with Ambassador Maya Tissafi, SDC Director General Patricia Danzi has visited Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. The focus of the visit was on Switzerland's humanitarian work.

International cooperation and multilateral organisation Humanitarian aid Europe, Middle East and North Africa Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and Latin America Climate, water and nutrition Health, education and social welfare Economy, technology and science Peace, governance and migration

International cooperation and multilateral organisation

A group of young people are sitting around a table. Together they are doing schoolwork.

International cooperation and multilateral organisation 07.02.2023

"The financial sector can play an important role on the path to sustainable funding for education"

Economist Anja Hochberg will participate in the International Cooperation Forum (IC Forum) in Geneva on 15 February. In an interview, she explains why she is committed to education and what it takes to finance education projects.

International cooperation and multilateral organisation 06.02.2023

"Education empowers people to shape their own lives"

Ursula Renold, Professor of Education Systems at ETH Zurich, is participating in the International Cooperation Forum in Geneva on 15 February. In this interview, she explains why she is committed to education and what it takes to reform education systems effectively in different cultural contexts.

Cover image of the latest podcast episode, with its name and number.

International cooperation and multilateral organisation 12.12.2022

A Plus For Humanity: the SDC podcast

Every day, a great number of Swiss women and men work on the SDC's development cooperation and humanitarian aid projects. In the SDC podcast, they tell us about their projects and provide insight into the lives of local people. The sixteenth episode of the SDC podcast 'A Plus for Humanity' takes a look at Burkina Faso and highlights the importance of education for people living in a country suffering from years of war.

Peter Maurer, accompanied by ICRC and Red Crescent staff, makes his way through the ruins of a Mosul neighbourhood.

International cooperation and multilateral organisation 30.09.2022

10 years on the humanitarian frontline

Diplomat and former Swiss State Secretary Peter Maurer is set to step down as President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). His 10 years in office have had a global impact on humanitarian aid. As his presidency draws to a close, we take a look at the organisation which has its roots in Switzerland and provides independent and neutral humanitarian relief in times of war and other disasters.

Young men in tomato fields in Afghanistan.

International cooperation and multilateral organisation 01.09.2022

Fit for Purpose: presenting the SDC's new structure

The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) is aligning itself with the fields of action of modern international cooperation and is adopting a new structure as of 1 September 2022. The SDC is now divided into three geographical divisions, one thematic division and one multilateral division.

A man in Mumbai, India, pushing his bicycle through floodwater..

International cooperation and multilateral organisation 24.05.2022

Assessing risks, risk preparedness and saving lives

Floods in Germany, heatwaves in India, droughts in Africa – how can humanity arm itself against the rising number of natural disasters and their effects worldwide? At the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in Bali, Indonesia, delegates from the worlds of politics, science, business and civil society are seeking effective solutions to reduce disaster risks. A multi-stakeholder delegation from Switzerland will be present. Regina Gujan, deputy head of the Multilateral Humanitarian Aid Division, is responsible for DRR at the SDC.

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Humanitarian aid

Des personnes sont sur un amas de pierres provenant d’un bâtiment effondré.

Humanitarian aid 07.02.2023

Switzerland provides emergency humanitarian aid to Turkey and Syria

In response to an appeal by the Turkish authorities, the FDFA's Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) has dispatched a Swiss Rescue team to the disaster zone in Turkey. Around 80 specialists were dispatched on the evening of 6 February 2023. Targeted aid is also being envisaged for Syria.

A mother with her child.

Humanitarian aid 24.01.2023

Switzerland remains committed to support Ukraine in winter

Targeted attacks on energy infrastructure and basic supply systems have aggravated the situation for civilians in Ukraine. Since September, the SDC has prepared an action plan to help the population to cope this winter. This plan, in the amount of CHF 100 million, includes the reprogramming of SDC-supported activities, the delivery of winter equipment and the rehabilitation of housing and energy infrastructure.

View of the snow-covered camp for internally displaced people in the town of Selkin in northwestern Syria.

Humanitarian aid 09.01.2023

"The humanitarian situation is precarious – indeed it's catastrophic"

One of the biggest humanitarian crises in the world is taking place in and around Syria. Switzerland's international cooperation has been active on the ground since the outbreak of the conflict in 2011 to alleviate suffering and save lives. In this interview, Caroline Tissot, the SDC's regional head of international cooperation for the Middle East, explains how Switzerland is working to protect the Syrian civilian population and their livelihoods, and to provide education.

A view of people stranded in Kogi Nigeria after days of rain.

Humanitarian aid 04.11.2022

CHF 1.5 million for the people in Nigeria and Chad

Nigeria and Chad are caught up in the throes of deadly floods. Switzerland is very concerned about the situation, which raises fears of increased food insecurity. It has decided to allocate CHF 750,000 as an emergency response to the crisis in Nigeria, and an additional CHF 300,000 for Chad.

A boy crosses a rope bridge near Mankiala, Pakistan. An expanse of large stones borders a stream.

Humanitarian aid 13.10.2022

Flooding in Pakistan: SDC pursuing efforts to provide access to drinking water and education

Pakistan has suffered one of the worst catastrophes in its history. In late August, an unusually strong monsoon left large swathes of the country flooded for several weeks. When the Pakistani authorities launched an international appeal for help, the SDC responded swiftly by releasing CHF 3 million in aid. It also deployed a Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA) team to assist on the ground.

Description View from a window of the port and part of the city of Beirut following the tragic explosion on 4 August 2020.

Humanitarian aid 19.08.2021

Beirut, a year on…

A year ago, the Swiss architect Emilie Schmid boarded a flight for Beirut wearing the uniform of the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit as a member of a team that helped rebuild the city after the tragic explosion. She talks about her experience and the importance of Swiss humanitarian aid. We are publishing this article to mark World Humanitarian Day and pay tribute to the many people who dedicate their lives to helping others.

More articles on the topic 

Europe, Middle East and North Africa

Girls' school in Syria: SDC Director General Patricia Danzi, Ambassador Maya Tissafi and others talking in front of a blackboard to a classroom of schoolgirls.

Europe, Middle East and North Africa 15.11.2022

Syria: humanitarian aid regardless of conflict lines

Together with Ambassador Maya Tissafi, SDC Director General Patricia Danzi has visited Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. The focus of the visit was on Switzerland's humanitarian work.

A farmer in Aswan Governorate sits cross-legged in his field near the Aswan High Dam.

Europe, Middle East and North Africa 07.11.2022

The SDC is actively engaged in improving drinking water management in Egypt

The SDC has been working in Egypt since 2017 to improve drinking water management and make water distribution more equitable in disadvantaged neighbourhoods of the Aswan Governorate. Egypt, where COP27 is being held in early November, is among the African countries with the highest water stress.

Europe, Middle East and North Africa 05.10.2022

Sandro's dream to have his own cheese dairy

Sandro Didebashvili is one of seven students from the Swiss Agricultural School Caucasus in Georgia who visited Switzerland for two weeks, learning about animal husbandry, fodder and cheesemaking. The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) supports Georgia in agricultural education and training.

Two women are packing food. Packages of pasta lie on a table in the foreground.

Europe, Middle East and North Africa 10.06.2022

Swiss aid in Ukraine: a lot of crisis management and even more flexibility

Switzerland is adapting its international cooperation activities to the situation brought about by the Russian attack. Existing contacts and resources are being used to meet the increased need for humanitarian aid. Projects already under way on 24 February 2022 will be adapted and expanded in cooperation with local partner organisations or the authorities. Actors of international cooperation in Ukraine report on their experiences.

 Patricia Danzi and Ambassador Simon Geissbühler

Europe, Middle East and North Africa 22.04.2022

Young generations in the Near East – between challenges and new perspectives

Back from the Near East, SDC Director General Patricia Danzi and Ambassador Simon Geissbühler, head of the Peace and Human Rights Division, share their experiences. Their visit to Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory gave them an insight into what the Swiss Cooperation Programme for the Near East 2021–24 is doing in the region.

President of the Swiss Confederation Ignazio Cassis make a speech at the Yemen Donor Conference.

Europe, Middle East and North Africa 16.03.2022

Women and girls, agents and victims in the humanitarian crisis in Yemen

Switzerland and Sweden co-hosted a hybrid high-level pledging event on 16 March for those hit by the humanitarian crisis in Yemen. UN Secretary General António Guterres launched the event. On behalf of Switzerland, President of the Swiss Confederation Ignazio Cassis has pledged CHF 14.5 million to further humanitarian aid efforts.

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Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and Latin America

SDC Assistant Director General Nicolas Randin visited beneficiaries of the electric vehicle in Domboshava, Zimbabwe.

Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and Latin America 06.12.2022

AIDS: "The progress achieved in the past 20 years is impressive"

Mozambique and Zimbabwe are two of the priority countries for Switzerland's international cooperation work. In November, Nicolas Randin, SDC Assistant Director General and head of the Sub-Saharan Africa Division, paid working visits to Mozambique and Zimbabwe.

Three smiling women cross a bridge in Nepal.

Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and Latin America 10.10.2022

Switzerland–Nepal: building bridges on the path to federalism

Nepal has seen profound changes in recent decades, from a monarchy to the adoption of a federalist constitution in 2015. Swiss development cooperation, which has been present in the country for over 60 years, has been continuously adapting its approach to ensure its continued effectiveness. Ahead of the visit to Kathmandu of SDC Director General Patrizia Danzi and Barbara Böni, head of the Asia Section, we examine the past and future of Switzerland's work in this Himalayan country.

Aerial view of the South East Asian delegations standing near a dam.

Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and Latin America 16.09.2022

"The challenges facing Switzerland are also our daily reality"

We interviewed Phonepaseuth Phouliphanh, secretary general of the Lao National Mekong Committee, in Martigny, a town located at a large bend in the River Rhône, during a study trip to the heartland of Swiss water management expertise. He spoke with us about his impressions and the best practices he observed during this visit, which was organised by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperatio. Read on to find out more about the common challenges we face and our cooperation for a sustainable future.

The two Asian delegations posing in front of a dam in Martigny.

Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and Latin America 09.09.2022

Sharing know-how between the water towers of Switzerland and Mekong

Switzerland shares six rivers and four lakes with its neighbouring countries. The use of these water bodies is regulated by cross-border cooperation treaties dating back several decades. Based on this extensive experience in sustainable TWM, Switzerland shares it technical and policy expertise with delegations from Asia via the SDC – this time during a field visit focusing on practical cases in Geneva, Martigny and Bern.

An employee of the Wasserverbands Region Bern shares his work with the Mongolian delegation on his computer screens.

Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and Latin America 22.08.2022

Democracy and decentralisation – when Mongolia draws inspiration from Switzerland

Landlocked, mountainous and democratic: a description of Switzerland? Yes, and of Mongolia too. But those are not the only links connecting these two countries. From 14 to 22 August, a Mongolian government delegation paid an official visit to Switzerland as part of the cooperation between the two countries. How does Zolzaya Lkhagvasuren, a Mongolian citizen working as a good governance expert at the SDC, view this?

Men and women walking on a river island.

Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and Latin America 28.07.2022

Switzerland and Bangladesh: 50 years of working towards increased prosperity

This year marks the 50th anniversary of bilateral relations between Switzerland and Bangladesh, beginning with Bangladesh's founding in 1972. Since then, Switzerland has been aiding the South Asian nation with its economic and social development. Swiss ambassador Nathalie Chuard shares insights into Switzerland's activities in Bangladesh, a country that is currently on the upswing despite its numerous challenges.

More articles on the topic 

Climate, water and nutrition

Photo of a woman in the background wearing a yellow dress. A rice crop is in the foreground of the photo.

Climate, water and nutrition 09.12.2022

Global food crisis: acting collaboratively

The global food crisis is one of the main challenges the world faces today. As is often the case, it is the most vulnerable people who are affected first and suffer disproportionately from its impact. In response, SDC acts in a collaborative and crosscutting manner to mitigate it.

Donne e bambini camminano davanti a carcasse di animali presso il villaggio di Sagalo, nella zona di Korahe, nella regione somala dell'Etiopia, 21 gennaio 2022.

Climate, water and nutrition 06.12.2022

Drought and famine in the Horn of Africa – a vicious circle of multiple crises

Millions of people are affected by the consequences of the drought in East Africa. Parched soils and dying livestock are destroying livelihoods and leading to a food crisis on a vast scale – the situation is dire. The SDC is also active in the region, supporting development projects and humanitarian relief efforts to mitigate the crisis.

Climate, water and nutrition 05.12.2022

Global food crises have multiple causes

828 million – this is the staggering number of people currently suffering from hunger worldwide. That's 10% of the world's population. Climate change, conflicts, COVID-19, and economic crises: the ongoing global food crisis has multiple causes and triggers, all of which are placing enormous stress on communities. The food crises that result from these triggers can also reduce people's lives to a struggle for survival.

Women and children carry water canisters through a village of simple huts in Somalia.

Climate, water and nutrition 12.10.2022

"People are dying because aid can't reach them"

The effects of climate change are exacerbating political, social, economic and ecological stress factors and increasing the risk of conflicts. The Berlin Climate and Security Conference aims to find answers to these problems. SDC Director General Patricia Danzi explains why climate and security cannot be considered in isolation and how Switzerland intends to raise the issue in the UN Security Council.

Two pilot projects have already been implemented in Colombia and Ecuador: a water contractor explains to interested people how the water filter works.

Climate, water and nutrition 30.09.2022

"We want to bring sustainable clean drinking water to poorer countries"

Today two billion people throughout the world are still without access to clean drinking water. The start-up enterprise Openversum, winner of the Community Award of the Youth and Future Prize 'Together we’re better', wants to change this: a locally produced drinking water filter would grant affected populations access to clean drinking water. Olivier Gröninger and Julián Salazar's team have now presented their project in New York at the Hult Prize finals – the 'Nobel prize for students'.

A Ukrainian farmer shows the crater left by a Russian shell in his field.

Climate, water and nutrition 24.06.2022

"There's enough food in the world for everyone, but not everyone can access it"

In addition to the urgent humanitarian action needed in Ukraine, the Global Programme Food Security (GPFS) of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) also emphasises the need to strengthen systemic approaches to healthy and sustainable food systems. In certain regions, hunger and malnutrition are increasing exponentially because of crises. Alessandra Roversi of the GPFS answers our questions.

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Health, education and social welfare

Mwawuganga is sitting on the stage. In front of her are some scenic props.

Health, education and social welfare 18.08.2022

Stories from the South and East on the Zurich stage

The Zürcher Theater Spektakel will welcome international artists from the Global South and East from 18 August to 4 September 2022. The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) has a long-standing partnership with the festival aimed at supporting artists from the Global South and East. The stage lights come on and we are instantly transported to Kenya with theatre maker Wanjikũ Mwawuganga.

Syrian refugee girls sit in a classroom in Lebanon and stretch their hands.

Health, education and social welfare 26.04.2022

Applying lessons from the Swiss school system to development cooperation

A solid school education is crucial to development. The Swiss school system is highly regarded and has considerable as yet underused potential to serve as an inspiration for development cooperation work. That is about to change. Switzerland creates added value in developing countries and can help shape educational agendas, says Sabina Handschin, education expert at the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), in this interview.

A woman in the foreground is walking with mosquito nets in her hands. Behind her are children.

Health, education and social welfare 25.04.2022

Fighting malaria: Switzerland's unique expertise

Health challenges cannot be viewed in isolation. One example of this is malaria, a disease linked not only to environmental but also to socio-economic factors. Accordingly, we have to take joint action on multiple fronts. The SDC promotes cross-sectoral interventions in line with the goals of the 2030 Agenda, as shown by the teamwork within the Swiss Malaria Group.

 Visions du Réel festival participants meet in Nyon.

Health, education and social welfare 07.04.2022

World on big screen in Nyon

In 2022, the SDC marks another year in its partnership with Visions du Réel, a documentary film festival that is celebrating its 53rd edition from 7 to 17 April. Through this cultural partnership, the SDC enables a wide range of artists from the Global South and East to share their message with an international network of film professionals. Seydou Cissé, a filmmaker from Mali, is one of them.

A young woman teaches children from a boat on a river in the Philippines.

Health, education and social welfare 25.01.2022

"The question of who provides education needs to be addressed"

The international community has committed itself to the goal of securing a high-quality education for everyone by 2030. Non-state actors make a fundamental contribution to achieving this goal and are the focus of this year's UNESCO Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report. On 3 February, the report will be presented in Switzerland at a virtual event. Basilio Ghisletta, education adviser at the SDC, speaks in the interview below on the report's significance for the 2030 Agenda's education targets.

A Bangladeshi child with a physical disability sits on the ground.

Health, education and social welfare 03.12.2021

Persons with disabilities should be heard – and international development cooperation is no exception

Poverty and disability form a vicious circle. More than 80% of persons with disabilities in developing regions live below the poverty line. The United Nations' International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3 December is intended to raise awareness of the issues they face. Through its projects in Burkina Faso and Bangladesh, Switzerland creates prospects for persons living with physical, intellectual or mental impairments. This work is particularly important in the age of COVID-19.

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Economy, technology and science

 Dozens of coconut shells strewn on the ground.

Economy, technology and science 13.01.2022

Swiss research tackles global challenges

The SDC is launching a new development research programme with a long-standing partner, the SNSF. The programme supports high-level scientific research aimed at finding practical solutions to global problems. The programme makes a direct contribution to achieving the objectives of the foreign policy and international cooperation strategies.

In the picture, four women of Indian origin pose smiling in front of the metal parts to be assembled.

Economy, technology and science 21.06.2021

Integrating human rights in business is a matter of global concern

The introduction of a mandatory corporate due diligence obligation widely supported last November with the Responsible Business Initiative has, in fact, already been implemented in recent years by many Swiss companies, including SMEs. Back in 2016, the Federal Council adopted an action plan on the subject based on the UN Guiding Principles introduced ten years ago. However, much promotional work remains to be done.

An EGAP project technician unpacking the contents of a mobile suitcase in an elderly person's home.

Economy, technology and science 28.05.2021

Switzerland supports Ukraine in its digital transition

The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, through the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), supports a public services digital transformation project in Ukraine. Today, Patricia Danzi, the SDC Director General, and Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine's deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Transformation, sign a memorandum of understanding in Kyiv to extend the E-Governance for Accountability and Participation Program (EGAP). This project forms part of Switzerland's International Cooperation Strategy and Digital Foreign Policy Strategy.

Old air conditioning units on the exterior of a building.

Economy, technology and science 23.02.2021

Clean cooling systems to fight global warming

Rising temperatures and increasingly frequent extreme heat waves are driving up demand for cooling and air-conditioning systems, especially in urban areas in emerging countries. Air conditioning saves lives. But air conditioning is also one of the main causes of global warming. To break this vicious circle, tackle climate change and alleviate poverty, Switzerland promotes energy-efficient cooling solutions.

In the picture we see SDC Director General Patricia Danzi sitting at a table and looking into the camera. In the background we see her office with a map of the world on the wall.

Economy, technology and science 02.02.2021

"Sustainable development would not be possible without business"

SDC Director General Patricia Danzi talks about the role of the private sector in international cooperation, explains how the new guidance regulates cooperation, and highlights how the involvement of businesses in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals is ultimately a win-win situation for all. A conversation about poverty reduction, equal opportunities and human dignity.

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