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On 26th December 2004, one of the most devastating natural disasters of recent times struck Southeast Asia. An undersea earthquake sparked two storm tides that caused damage, some of it devastating, in 13 countries, claiming around 215,000 lives.
Some 15 million people were affected, and 1.7 million lost the roof over their heads.
The terrible pictures, the extent of the disaster, the many countries affected and the sheer numbers of people who died or needed emergency relief – all this aroused unprecedented concern and solidarity with the victims of the disaster.
People in Switzerland donated an unbelievable 227.7 million francs, making the tsunami campaign the most successful fundraising campaign in the history of Swiss Solidarity.
On 14 October 2000, the Valais and Ticino were hit by devastating natural disasters. The solidarity of the people of Switzerland with the victims was astounding: the Swiss Solidarity fundraising campaign raised 74.2 million Swiss francs in donations.
One third of this went to the two worst affected municipalities, Gondo (13 million francs) and Baltschieder (14 million francs). The remaining funds were used to assist affected individuals, small businesses and municipalities in the Valais and neighbouring regions including the Aostatal. On 29 March 2009, Swiss Solidarity natural disaster relief was concluded with the official opening of the polyvalent sports hall in the municipality of Baltschieder near Visp.
As Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the world, many of our Swiss partner relief organizations were already operating on the island before the disaster.
These aid organizations were able to begin to deliver emergency relief in the first few hours following the quake. They distributed food and water, set up temporary accommodation and provided medical aid.
Having administered emergency relief, we turned our attention to reconstruction, working with our partner organizations. They repaired and rebuilt 2,700 houses to be earthquake- and storm-resistant, and installed 3,300 latrines and 2,500 water reservoirs.
We have financed a total of 90 projects by 22 aid organizations to date. So our aid efforts on Haiti are coming to a close. There are still a few projects running to consolidate the success and sustainability of the projects already implemented.
The situation in Syria is catastrophic. Every day we receive pictures of bombed-out cities, traumatized children and people fleeing their homes. The war has been raging since 2011, and has already claimed the lives of over 400,000 people. Fifty percent of the Syrian population are refugees in their own country, and about five million people have fled abroad. 13.5 million people in Syria itself require urgent humanitarian aid. But it is extremely difficult for the relief organizations to get help to the people who need it so desperately. Access to the areas worst hit is often blocked, and the situation is extremely dangerous for aid workers.
We have been fundraising for the victims of the Syria conflict since 2012. Up to 2015 your donations went to help people in need in Syria, as well as those who fled to the neighbouring countries of Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Turkey. Since 2015 donations earmarked for Syria have been helping those who are still living in the country itself, and donations specifically for refugees are helping those who have had to flee the conflicts in the Middle East.
The war in Kosovo began in 1998 and lasted a year killing more than 13,000 people.
In 1999, we received the International Human Rights Award for our humanitarian work, including assistance to Kosovo.
Violent storms, flooding and landslides – in Switzerland, as elsewhere, natural disasters can cause huge damage affecting people, infrastructure and the landscape.
The authorities and insurance companies anticipate damage claims in the range of CHF 2.5 billion. The hardest-hit areas were the Bernese Oberland, the Innerschweiz (mainly cantons UR, LU, OW, NW) part of Graubunden and the Matte district in the city of Bern.
On 25th April 2015 an earthquake destroyed 600,000 houses and claimed the lives of 9,000 people. Around 22,000 people were injured.
Besides houses, many religious sites were also destroyed. For the religious and traditional-minded Nepalese, this was an additional heavy loss.
For several weeks in 2010, Pakistan experienced its most severe flooding in decades.
On 25th April 2015 an earthquake destroyed 600,000 houses and claimed the lives of 9,000 people. Around 22,000 people were injured.
Besides houses, many religious sites were also destroyed. For the religious and traditional-minded Nepalese, this was an additional heavy loss.
Swiss Solidarity, 1211 Geneva 8
Your donation is tax deductible in Switzerland.
