11.04.2017

Federal president Doris Leuthard launches the Swiss Solidarity fundraising day for the victims of the famine in Africa

Early this morning, Federal President Doris Leuthard launched the Swiss Solidarity fundraising day for the victims of the famine in Africa on Radio SRF 1. In an interview with SRF 1 presenter Ladina Spiess, she urged the public to show solidarity with the innocent victims of the famine in Somalia, Nigeria and South Sudan. “If we help now, maybe the worst can be averted,” the Federal President concluded.

Federal President to man the phones at midday
The Federal President will be helping man the phones at the SRF television studio at lunchtime, joining more than 500 volunteers in Chur, Geneva, Zurich and Lugano who will be accepting donation pledges between six o’clock this morning and midnight. The fundraising day is being organized by Swiss Solidarity in close collaboration with the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SFR SSR), the association of private radio stations “Pro Glückskette” and other independent media outlets.

Swiss Solidarity has already received donations of over one million francs prior to the fundraising day.

Around 10 relief organizations in action
The donations are being used to help fund emergency relief projects run by around 10 Swiss partner organizations delivering humanitarian aid in Somalia, South Sudan, Nigeria and neighbouring countries, where many people are seeking refuge from famine or the war. The primary focus is on providing medical care, especially for small children. Wherever possible, the objective is to improve the livelihoods of the people in the affected areas as quickly as possible with water, agricultural and preventative projects.

Donations
Donations for the victims of the famine in Africa are most welcome before the fundraising day either online at www.swiss-solidarity.org, via the Swiss Solidarity app or to Post Office account 10-15000-6 (specify “Famine in Africa”). Swiss Solidarity payment slips are available at all post offices.

By telephone
On 11 April 2017 – the day of the fundraiser – donations can be pledged from 06:00 hrs until midnight by calling the free telephone number 0800 87 07 07.

Online
Donations can be made at any time online at www.swiss-solidarity.org or to Post Office account 10-15000-6 (specify “Famine in Africa”).

Donation platform
You can set up your own donation appeal on our donation platform handeln.glueckskette.ch and share it with friends and acquaintances via social media.

Post Office
Account holders can donate free of charge at Post Office cash dispensing machines (the Swiss Solidarity logo will be displayed under menu item «weitere Funktionen» from 10 – 30 April). Registered PostFinance customers can also donate free of charge.

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