Coronavirus Switzerland
The 2020 Covid crisis turned our lives upside down, marking a period of uncertainty, anxiety and many challenges. But together, we overcame this difficult time. Thanks to your solidarity and support, Swiss Solidarity was able to provide swift, targeted assistance to those in Switzerland affected by the pandemic.
Situation update
Almost 1.7 million people benefited from our support: 129 national, regional and local organisations, including two experienced NGOs, Caritas Switzerland and the Swiss Red Cross, received financial support from us to carry out a total of 209 projects, 69 of which were still running in 2021.
Our assistance came in many forms: financial aid (52.8%), services such as transportation, care and home deliveries (25.6%), counselling and the dissemination of information (9.9%) and the distribution of food aid (9.7%).
To prepare for possible crises in the future, we commissioned the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW) and HES-SO Lausanne | School of Social Work and Health in 2021 to conduct a study measuring the concrete outcomes of our assistance. The resulting report highlighted Swiss Solidarity’s expediency and the simplicity of its funding procedures. However, the organisations interviewed would have liked to see actions being better coordinated at the regional and cantonal levels, and felt that clarification was needed with respect to government support.
How your donation helped in Switzerland
We have two main long-standing partners with whom we work to provide this support: Caritas Switzerland and the Swiss Red Cross.
Nine further national organizations have built up their support for people in need: the Salvation Army (Heilsarmee), HEKS, Pro Infirmis, Pro Juventute, Pro Senectute (cantonal and intercantonal organizations), the Schweizerische Arbeiterhilfswerk SAH, Winterhilfe, the foundation Denk an mich and the umbrella organization of women's refuges, DAO.
We then expanded our support to other organisations, mainly those active at a local level. This brought the total number of organisations we supported throughout Switzerland to over 129.
Who was the help for?
We provide additional support to complement that provided by the federal government and the cantons. Thanks to your donation, we have been able to support the following people:
- Individuals and families who were already in precarious financial circumstances before the pandemic, and who now find themselves facing an even more challenging situation due to significant income loss and new expenses incurred as a result of the pandemic (e.g. additional costs related to compulsory home schooling).
- Those of modest means who have lost their income due to restrictions and are not covered by state aid or social insurance.
- Elderly or disabled people living in isolation and/or dependent on outside help.
- Homeless people in need of shelter and services that meet health requirements.
Thanks to the generous donations we received, we were able to avoid unnecessary red tape and respond quickly to support the many people in Switzerland who were made more vulnerable by the pandemic. We have funded a total of 209 projects, and for that, we thank you with all our hearts.
National Day of solidarity
Our fundraising campaign reached its peak on 16 April, which was declared a national day of solidarity. The campaign was supported by the SRG-SSR and several other media outlets. On that day, we held aloft the torch of solidarity, demonstrating how united Switzerland is during this challenging period.
Coronavirus pandemic abroad
However, the crises caused by the virus and the measures taken to contain it have also significantly impacted the countries in which our NGO partners operate. We have therefore collected donations under the heading 'Coronavirus International' to fund projects run by our partners to protect those affected by the virus and ensure the supply of basic food and health provisions abroad.