2023 Annual Report
Take a look at the highlights of our key fundraising campaigns and projects. For more on all our 2023 activities, you can access the full report below.
01.The year 2023 as we saw it
“As the number of crises multiplied in 2023, solidarity in Switzerland played its role as a catalyst for humanitarian action at the heart of global emergencies and in the fight against hardship in our country. It enabled us to bring a glimmer of hope into the lives of millions of people.”
Miren Bengoa
Director of Swiss Solidarity
© Swiss Solidarity
“Without the public’s trust, the expertise of our partners working on the ground, our partners’ loyalty and the commitment of our ambassadors and teams, our work would simply not be possible.”
Pascal Crittin
President of Swiss Solidarity and Director of RTS
© RTS
02.2023 in figures
. million
people supported
countries of intervention
projects supported
221 outside Switzerland
123 in Switzerland
Distribution of intervention in 2023
Between CHF 10,000 and CHF 499,000
Between CHF 500,000 and CHF 1 million
Between CHF 1 million and CHF 3.9 million
Between CHF 4 million and CHF 10 million
Greater than CHF 25 million
CHF. million
invested in humanitarian and social projects
Funding for the most critical issues in 2023
-
War in Ukraine: CHF 29.1 million -
Earthquakes in Syria and Turkey: CHF 10.8 million -
Hunger in East Africa: CHF 8.4 million -
Social and professional integration of young people in Switzerland: CHF 2.5 million -
International child relief: CHF 2.4 million -
Floods in Pakistan: CHF 2.1 million -
Child protection in Switzerland: CHF 2.1 million -
Crisis in Afghanistan: CHF 1.8 million
CHF. million
in donations received in 2023
Top 10 fundraising campaigns in 2023
CHF32 million
Earthquakes in Syria and Turkey
CHF 4 million
Education in Switzerland and worldwide
CHF 3.6 million
War in Ukraine
CHF 3.1 million
Earthquake in Morocco
CHF 2.3 million
Humanitarian crisis in the Middle East
CHF 1.8 million
Hunger in East Africa
CHF 1.5 million
Emergency fund
CHF 1 million
Homeless and marginalised people in Switzerland
CHF 984,000
Child protection in Switzerland
CHF 649,000
Crisis in Afghanistan
03.International activities
Earthquakes in Syria and Turkey
On 6 February 2023, violent earthquakes struck southern Turkey and northern Syria, the worst disaster to hit the region in a century. Launched that day, Swiss Solidarity’s fundraising campaign triggered a remarkable wave of solidarity among the people of Switzerland. The donations that followed enabled our Swiss partner NGOs to provide vital humanitarian aid on the ground from very early on in the crisis.
Donations received in 2023
CHF
million
Aid by country
Syria (73%)
Turkey (27%)
Humanitarian project priorities
- Providing access to drinking water, food and other necessities
- Providing access to health services and psychosocial support
- Providing emergency shelters and setting up mobile clinics
- Rehabilitating buildings and basic infrastructure
- Rescuing people trapped under the rubble
Aid work funded in 2023
CHF.
million
Fundraising campaign launched in collaboration with SRG SSR
06 February 2023
Swiss partner NGOs funded
ADRA Switzerland, Caritas Switzerland, Doctors Without Borders, Helvetas, Medair, Save the Children Switzerland, Solidar Switzerland, Swiss Church Aid (HEKS/EPER), Swiss Red Cross, Terre des hommes foundation
Testimonial
Muhsin and his wife, Zehra, had spent 26 years living in the house they had built themselves. The 2023 earthquake destroyed it, and as they did not have the financial resources to rebuild it, they set up a tent in their yard so as not to lose their property. Today, Muhsin and Zehra have moved from their tent into a stronger, better insulated wooden structure built by Medair with Swiss Solidarity’s support. A year on from the earthquakes, this married couple of 57 years still fear that another quake could strike. Despite what happened, Muhsin is full of energy. He embodies resilience and is a source of inspiration. Of one thing he is sure: “I will remain here until I breathe my last breath.”
War in Ukraine
Two years after Russia invaded Ukraine and Swiss Solidarity’s record-breaking CHF 134 million fundraising campaign, the humanitarian situation remains alarming and still affects over 17.6 million people. Our work on the ground has adapted as the needs have evolved and is now focused mainly on eastern Ukraine, which is directly affected by the fighting, and on regions of the country hosting displaced people.
Donations received in 2023
CHF.
million
Aid by country
Ukraine (90%)
Moldova (5%)
Switzerland (2%)
Romania (2%)
Poland (1%)
Humanitarian project priorities
- Repairing homes, buildings and essential infrastructure
- Providing access to healthcare
- Providing aid for displaced people
Aid work funded in 2023
CHF.
million
Fundraising campaign launched in collaboration with SRG SSR
25 February 2022
Swiss partner NGOs funded
Caritas Switzerland, Doctors Without Borders, Fondation Hirondelle, Fondation suisse de déminage (FSD), Helvetas, Medair, Médecins du Monde Suisse, Pestalozzi Children’s Foundation, Save the Children Switzerland, Solidar Switzerland, Swiss Church Aid (HEKS/EPER), Terre des hommes foundation
Earthquake in Morocco
On the night of 9 September, Morocco suffered the most powerful earthquake ever to hit the country. The donations SwS received made it possible for our partner NGOs to deploy vital emergency aid to support victims of the quake, many of whom lost their livelihoods literally overnight.
Donations received in 2023
CHF.
million
Aid work funded in 2023
CHF,000
Fundraising campaign launched in collaboration with SRG SSR
11 September 2023
Humanitarian project priorities
- Emergency aid: distributing drinking water, blankets, shelters and clothing, and providing medical care and psychosocial support
- Improving access to remote and isolated mountain villages
Swiss partner NGOs funded
Frieda – The Feminist NGO for Peace, Helvetas, Médecins du Monde Suisse
Education for all
in Switzerland and worldwide
In late 2023, in close collaboration with RTS, SRF, RSI and RTR, Swiss Solidarity launched a national solidarity campaign for education worldwide and training in Switzerland. In French-speaking Switzerland, the campaign took the form of the Cœur à Cœur fundraiser. Thanks to the donations received, the Foundation will fund humanitarian and social projects aimed at breaking the cycle of violence and insecurity and ensuring a better future for thousands of young people and children.
Donations received in 2023
CHF
million
Aid work funded in 2023
CHF.
million
Swiss partner NGOs funded
Enfants du Monde, Helvetas, IAMANEH Switzerland, Médecins du Monde Suisse, Pestalozzi Children’s Foundation, Save the Children Switzerland, Solidar Switzerland, Swissaid, Terre des hommes foundation, Terre des Hommes Suisse, Vivamos Mejor.
37 institutions operating in Switzerland also received funding.
Humanitarian project priorities
- Access to quality education, both during and after crises and conflicts
- Making schools and their access roads safer
- Providing psychosocial support to child victims of violence
- In Switzerland: fostering the social and professional integration of marginalised adolescents and young adults
Testimonial
Because of the armed violence raging in Burkina Faso, Haidara was forced to seek refuge in the Centre-Est region, which currently hosts the largest number of internally displaced persons in Burkina Faso. Displaced people live in extremely precarious conditions, with even their most basic needs going unmet. In these regions, schools are overwhelmed and thousands of children find themselves unable to attend. Swiss Solidarity’s partner NGOs are setting up bridging classes to take in and educate these children.
04.Activities in Switzerland
Our commitment to vulnerable people in Switzerland focuses on three different issues: children who are victims of violence, the social and professional integration of young people, and homeless and marginalised people. Swiss Solidarity also responds when major natural disasters strike in Switzerland.
Social and professional integration of young people
CHF,,
Donations received in 2023
CHF,,
Aid work funded in 2023
projects supported
Assistance for homeless and marginalised people
CHF,0,
Donations received in 2023
CHF,
Aid work funded in 2023
projects supported
Protection of child victims of violence
CHF,
Donations received in 2023
CHF,0,
Aid work funded in 2023
projects supported
Thank you!
Swiss Solidarity would like to extend its heartfelt thanks to all its donors and partners for their outstanding support. For more on all our 2023 activities, you can access the full report below.