The Story of Swiss Solidarity

From a radio programme to the largest private humanitarian aid donor in Switzerland. Discover how it all begun.

Happiness for everyone!

“Y’a du bonheur pour tout le monde” – “There is happiness for everyone” The story of Swiss Solidarity began in 1946 in Lausanne, with a song, the need to do something about the suffering after the Second World War and a whole lot of personal commitment.

Radio presenter Roger Nordmann and entertainer Jack Rollan began what has become an almost 80-year success story. On 26 September 1946 they made their first appeal on Radio Sottens (now RTS) in aid of children suffering from the effects of the war.

Soon after, they created their own radio programme, the ‘Chaîne de Bonheur’, or ‘chain of happiness’ – now known in English as Swiss Solidarity. Because whoever was best able to fulfil a wish could propose the next good deed.

At the beginning, Swiss Solidarity primarily collected material donations, and was totally overrun with packages and aid items.

Above all, our founders were radio presenters with generous hearts. Today we are the largest private humanitarian aid donor in Switzerland. Since 1983, we have been an independent foundation and the humanitarian arm of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation, SRG SSR.

L'animateur radio Roger Nordmann, droite, et l'animateur Jack Rollan, gauche, ont créé la Chaîne du Bonheur en 1946.

 

Milestones

 

  • 1946 – On 26 September the first ‘Chaîne du Bonheur’ programme is broadcast on Radio Sottens.
  • 1947 – Swiss German Radio Beromünster adopts the programme.
  • 1948 – Ticino Radio Monte Ceneri adopts the programme.
  • 1948 – Now international, Swiss Solidarity launches its first appeal.
  • 1954 – The weekly programme is taken off air. Swiss Solidarity continues to fundraise when there is a major disaster.
  • 1983 – Under the then SRG general director Leo Schürmann, Swiss Solidarity becomes an independent organization.
  • 1991 – RTR (Romansh TV and Radio) takes part in a fundraising day for the first time, from a fundraising centre in Chur.
  • 1999 – We receive the International Human Rights Award in recognition of our work in the humanitarian field, in particular in Kosovo.
  • 2000 – Second biggest fundraising event in our history: 74 million francs for victims of severe weather in Switzerland (Valais and Ticino).
  • 2004 – We raise CHF 227 million for the victims of the tsunami on 26 December. This is the largest amount we have ever raised.
  • 2005 – Rose breeder Richard Huber dedicates a rose to Swiss Solidarity. The proceeds from the sale of this rose go to our children’s relief programme.
  • 2013 – In order to express what we stand for, we name ourselves ‘Swiss Solidarity’.
  • 2015 – The #together4syria campaign was carried out with several partner organisations.
  • 2017 – Collection in favour of the village of Bondo, which was partially devastated by mudslides after a landslide on the northern slope of Piz Cengalo.
  • 2019 – Although the war in Yemen has a low public profile, Swiss Solidarity planned a national collection day, sending a signal of solidarity from the humanitarian world to the affected population.
  • 2019 – Swiss Solidarity dedicates its 250th collection to women victims of forgotten crises.
  • 2020 – In response to the pandemic which turned the world upside down, Swiss Solidarity launched a fundraising campaign. A total of 43 457 744 euros was raised for the Coronavirus Switzerland fundraising campaign.
  • 2021 – Shortly before Christmas, the 75th anniversary collection is held in aid of children in need in Switzerland and worldwide. Over 8.8 million Swiss francs were collected for children’s relief in Switzerland and abroad.
  • 2022 – In March 2022, the Swiss people demonstrate their incredible solidarity: over 130 million – the second largest sum since Swiss Solidarity was founded – were collected for the victims of the Ukraine war.
  • 2023 – Almost a year after the Ukraine crisis, people in Syria and Turkey were hit by a severe earthquake. Again, the Swiss population showed great solidarity: Swiss Solidarity was able to collect over 32 million donations and thus provide emergency aid quickly.

Swiss Solidarity’s first ever radio programme in 1946

From radio programme to major donor

Today we collect money rather than material donations. With the money raised we finance aid projects run by our 25 partner NGOs.

Many of the projects are involved in reconstruction after earthquakes, hurricanes and other natural disasters. Many of the projects are involved in victims of war and conflict, and work to ensure children’s wellbeing.

In Switzerland, we support people in need, in particular young, marginalised people aged 15 to 25. We also provide assistance to people hit hard by extreme weather events .

Swiss Solidarity

The original idea of expressing solidarity with the victims of disasters – whether in Switzerland or abroad – is still what motivates us today.

Over the past almost 80 years, we have organised over 250 fundraising campaigns for the victims of natural disasters and conflicts with our partner SRG and broadcast them on radio and television as well as online media. Each time, especially on national fundraising days, the appeals spark an amazing wave of solidarity throughout Switzerland.

Swiss solidarity, for which we stand, is only possible thanks to the generous support of the Swiss public and our strong partnerships with the SRG, Swisscom, private radio stations, the media and, of course, our operational partners, the NGOs.

Simonetta Sommaruga recueille des dons par téléphone au cours d'une journée nationale de solidarité.

Eine Frau in Sri Lanka vor ihrem vom Tsunami zerstörten Haus.

Tsunami in Southeast Asia (2004)

227 million Swiss francs received

Das vom Unwetter zerstörte Dorf Gondo

Natural disaster in the Valais and Ticino (2000)

74 million Swiss francs received

Eine Frau läuft durch ein vom Erdbeben zerstörtes Quartier von Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

Earthquake in Haiti (2010)

66,7 million Swiss francs received

Eine syrische Flüchtlingsfamilie mit ihren zwei kleinen Söhnen

Syria / Refugees (2012 – now)

51,5 million Swiss francs received

Ein Flüchtlingsjunge an der Grenze zu Mazedonien, wo seine Familie Unterschlupf gefunden hat.

Kosovo (1999)

49,9 million Swiss francs received

Ein Feuerwehrmann und eine Frau ziehen ein Mädchen in einem Schlauchboot durch die überschwemmten Strassen von Bern.

Natural disaster in Switzerland (2005)

49,5 million Swiss francs received

Ein Mann, dessen Haus vom Taifun Haiyan zerstört wurde, hält seine beiden Söhne im Arm.

Typhoon Haiyan (2013)

42,4 million Swiss francs received

Eine pakistanische Familie durchquert die überfluteten Strassen auf einem Wagen, der von einem Esel gezogen wird.

Floods Pakistan (2010)

42,2 million Swiss francs received

Ein Nepalese vor seinem vom Erdbeben zerstörten Haus.

Earthquake in Nepal (2015)

32,2 million Swiss francs received

If you have any questions or would like to know more about our Foundation, please contact us. We will be happy to answer you.

Enrich your mailbox!

Subscribe to our newsletter and receive our news

Subscribe