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Severe weather events in Switzerland in 2024

Following the violent storms of summer 2024, Swiss Solidarity launched an appeal for donations to support those affected in over 30 municipalities across the cantons of Ticino, Valais, Graubünden and Bern.

Keystone / Michael Buholzer

Start of campaignJul 2024

Crisis type Flooding

LocationGraubünden, Valais, Ticino, Bern

Donations received13'205'639

Call for solidarity

Devastating storms caused significant damage in several regions of Switzerland. Several people lost their lives and hundreds were forced to leave their homes. Thanks to a nationwide outpouring of solidarity, more than CHF 13 million was raised to support those affected.

"The images of the devastated regions touched us deeply. We witnessed a great outpouring of solidarity from people in the affected regions, as well as from elsewhere in Switzerland. Our appeal is a sign of solidarity from the entire Swiss population with those in distress.”

Miren Bengoa

Director Swiss Solidarity

Emergency aid
In the first few weeks, direct aid was provided to those affected to cover their most urgent needs, such as furniture, clothing, temporary accommodation and travel expenses.
Support for individuals, small businesses and associations
Aid was granted to cover costs not covered by insurance, including rent, home and immediate surroundings repairs, loss of income and operating costs, and vehicle and professional equipment replacement.
Collective and public utility projects:
Longer-term actions are being funded to address collective needs, such as providing psychological support, helping to find housing, offering administrative assistance, removing debris, and rehabilitating agricultural land.
Support is being provided to municipalities with limited financial capacity.
Affected municipalities without the necessary resources to repair their infrastructure will be eligible for support.
Social projects
Any remaining donations will be used to fund social projects in the affected regions, with a particular focus on supporting young people, the elderly, and low-income households.

Complementing existing aid

In the event of a natural disaster in Switzerland, Swiss Solidarity's aid complements that provided by public authorities and insurance companies for private individuals. Swiss Solidarity mainly intervenes when there are gaps in the system, when the consequences of the disaster justify it, and when it can make effective use of the donations collected.

If donations to Swiss Solidarity exceed requirements, the surplus will be allocated to the permanent 'Natural Disasters in Switzerland' fund. This fund covers damage caused by bad weather to individuals in the event of smaller-scale disasters in Switzerland.