65 years of solidarity
- 16.09.2011
- News
Since 65 years the people of Switzerland show their solidarity for the victims of disasters in Switzerland and abroad. It all started on 26 September 1946 when the radio game «Chaîne du Bonheur» was broadcasted and it developed over the years to an efficient organisation for collecting donations in the event of catastrophes and crises.
The programme – and the calls for donations – was also taken up by the SRG public media in the other linguistic parts of Switzerland. In 1983 Swiss Solidarity finally became an independent foundation, which calls for donations with the support of the SRG media. Every time a campaign is launched, Swiss Solidarity triggers a true movement of solidarity amongst the people of Switzerland.
1.5 billion francs in donations since 1946
Since 1946 Swiss Solidarity has raised around 1.5 billion Swiss francs from 284 campaigns and 34 national fundraising days, supported by the national and private medias. The collected funds are used for humanitarian aid projects. 25% of donations are used for help within Switzerland (social aid, children relief, natural disasters); 6% for children relief abroad (nutrition, medical care, education and help for children in war and conflicts) and 69% for helping the victims of disasters abroad.
At present Swiss Solidarity is financing some 247 projects in 47 countries to a total of 167 million Swiss francs. The projects, which help victims to return to a normal life are carried out by 31 partner organisations. Around 15% of donations are used for emergency relief, 70% for longer-term and sustainable rebuilding projects and 15% for consolidation of the work.
