In 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic continued to upend the lives of millions of people around the world, adding to their vulnerability in the process. Haiti was hit by a massive earthquake that caused widespread devastation. In Afghanistan, the Taliban took power, leading to the massive displacement of people in a country already severely weakened by drought, conflict and the pandemic. In Switzerland and worldwide, many children are suffering and are exposed to violence. However, as you have done for many years, you showed your solidarity and entrusted us with more than CHF 27 millions to help millions of people recover from natural disasters and humanitarian crises.
We want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your commitment and extraordinary solidarity.
“When we launched our appeals in 2021, you were moved to act by a powerful wave of solidarity. That solidarity continues to this day, and for that, we thank you wholeheartedly. We know that, when we come together, we make a real difference and that in the face of ongoing crises, our work is vital and will continue to be so for years to come.”Catherine Baud-Lavigne, Deputy managing director of Swiss Solidarity
A big part of the donations you entrusted us with in 2021 and previous years enabled us to reach millions of people, including over 6.5 million suffering the economic, social and health effects of the pandemic in Switzerland and worldwide.
The partner NGOs whose projects we fund have delivered assistance in response to natural disasters and humanitarian crises in 40 countries including Haiti and Afghanistan, and have helped the most vulnerable people in 18 countries, including India, Brazil and Switzerland, to cope with the impacts of the pandemic.
We were also able to continue supporting the relief efforts launched in response to the massive explosion in Lebanon in 2020 and the ongoing rebuilding efforts in Indonesia, parts of which were levelled by a devastating tsunami in 2018.
In 2021, we funded 174 projects to help people right here in Switzerland
In 2021, we dedicated CHF 34 million to aid projects—174 in Switzerland and 174 more around the world—which focused primarily on supporting people affected by the economic, social and health impacts of the pandemic.
Internationally, support for those most vulnerable to the effects of COVID-19 focused particularly on vaccination and prevention campaigns, access to care and financial support for households.
In Switzerland, our support took the form of financial assistance and services for affected people and included home deliveries, care and transportation.
In 2021, we celebrated both our 75th anniversary and the arrival of our new director!
As we marked this auspicious occasion, we wanted to understand what drives the solidarity of the Swiss people, which has been the guiding force of our mission since day one. We published the organisation’s first ever “Solidarity Barometer”. This survey revealed that the pandemic put the public’s solidarity to the test, and in response, we called on the people of Switzerland to further strengthen their links of solidarity, not only to highlight our 75th anniversary, but also to overcome future challenges together.
The findings also set the tone for our National Day of Solidarity for children in need in Switzerland and around the world, which was held with the support of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SRG SSR), Swisscom and private media entities including regional radio stations. Over the course of this fundraiser, you entrusted us with CHF 4.2 million in donations, and within a month of the event, that amount had almost doubled.
Elected in 2021, our new director took up her post on 1 January 2022. After working in multilateral organisations, private foundations and NGOs for over 20 years, she is now leading us in our mission of solidarity.
And after a 21-year career with Swiss Solidarity, the incumbent Deputy Director and Head of Finance and Administration, Catherine Baud-Lavigne, will be leaving our big family at the end of March to pursue new challenges. Her exemplary commitment and specialised skills made her an essential link in our human chain.
Detailed information on how donations were used in 2021 will be available in our annual report and accounts, slated for publication in the first half of 2022.
Swiss Solidarity, 1211 Geneva 8
Your donation is tax deductible in Switzerland.
