Climate, environment and disaster risk prevention

The 2015 Nepal earthquake and the importance of short- and long-term aid in response to the latest earthquake in Myanmar

Bangladesh is one of the countries most affected by climate change worldwide. Now, nine Swiss NGOs, the Embassy and local partners are joining forces to meet the challenges

Due to the precarious humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, as of March 2025 Switzerland is once again present on the ground with a humanitarian office in Kabul.

Satellite early warning system for natural hazards (as for homepage teaser or variation of this) SLF researchers are training Indian specialists to use satellite data and computer models to identify impending natural hazards and areas that could be affected. The aim is to better model natural hazard processes in the Himalayas and prevent disasters.

Switzerland has a comprehensive approach to security. International co-operation helps to address global issues and reduce security risks.

Since 2004, REPIC has supported sustainable projects, saving 288,277 tons of CO2 and promoting innovative solutions in 60 countries.

Millions of hectares of forest have been destroyed in Bolivia due to major fires. The SDC has dispatched a team to provide aid to the affected populations.

In addition to the violence faced by those in the capital Port-au-Prince, the population is exposed to natural hazards. Climate change is exacerbating the situation. The SDC is helping to minimise the risks of disaster.

Melting snow, glaciers, and permafrost retreat increase the risks of disasters. The SDC strengthens climate resilience in mountainous regions through scientific data.

Development cooperation protects habitats threatened by climate change. The SDC supports projects worldwide.

The "Nature Conservation Programme" in North Macedonia demonstrates how nature conservation and local development mutually reinforce each other.

PROECCO supports sustainable urban development in the Great Lakes region. The project centres on a technology for manufacturing modern bricks.

Web article on the Shelter Sustainability Assessment Tool developed by the Geneva Technical Hub with support of the SDC.

A guest article by the WFP on its Anticipatory Action programme, which focuses on managing the risks of climate extremes and the food insecurity they cause.

Achieving SDG 2 has fallen behind schedule. This was the conclusion reached at the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in New York.

Switzerland supports millions of people in Southern Africa, in Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi, with CHF 4.7 million in the fight against drought and hunger.

In Nicaragua, the SDC has improved living conditions, particularly through its work in the water and sanitation sector.

The SDC's cooperation with Honduras in the field of governance has been internationally recognised.

In Bolivia, the SDC's approach to poverty alleviation has been multi-faceted, innovative and sustainable.

In Cuba, the SDC has successfully addressed previously taboo issues such as decentralised governance, gender equality and racism.

In the Bekaa Valley, the SDC is running a project to improve water management. The project also aims to ease tensions surrounding water access.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Mitch in 1998, the SDC established a sustainable DRR system for Central America.

Switzerland’s international cooperation strategy 2021–2024 identifies addressing climate change as a thematic priority.

The Swiss Confederation and many Swiss companies have plans to offset their greenhouse gas emissions in partner countries. Development projects can help to achieve this, but following disclosures that emissions certificates sometimes inflate the claimed reductions, there has been growing scepticism about this mechanism.

Faces, stories, facts and figures: The SDC and SECO interactive annual report reviews the year 2022.

Interview with Christian Frutiger, SDC Deputy Director-General and Head of the Thematic Cooperation Division.

Ignazio Cassis opened the UN pledging event for Yemen in Geneva.

The diversity of species and ecosystems on our planet is declining rapidly. A new global framework aims to revitalise efforts to protect and restore biodiversity.

Millions of people are affected by the consequences of the drought in East Africa. The situation is dire.

828 million suffer from hunger worldwide. Climate change, conflicts, COVID-19, and economic crises: the global food crisis has multiple causes.

The global food crisis is one of the main challenges that the world faces today. SDC is working collaboratively and across sectors to mitigate its impact.

The SDC has been working in Egypt since 2017 to make the distribution of drinking water more equitable.

SDC Director General Patricia Danzi explains why climate and security cannot be viewed in isolation.

Interview with Phonepaseuth Phouliphanh, secretary general of the Lao National Mekong Committee, during a visit to Switzerland to learn from Swiss water management practices.

From 6 to 9 September, Switzerland shared its experience in sustainable transboundary water management with delegations from South East Asia.

A Mongolian government delegation paid a field visit to Switzerland. We interviewed Zolzaya Lkhagvasuren on the topic.

Alessandra Roversi, programme officer at the GPFS, talks about the global food situation after the latest shocks caused by the war in Ukraine.

Malnutrition is a cross-cutting issue with economic, societal and environmental impacts, and nowhere is this more true than in mountain communities.

Research can play a vital role in reducing poverty and environmental degradation, as has been clearly illustrated in the case of food security.

Michelle Nay of Switzerland has conducted extensive work in support of agricultural research for development.

Interview with Patricia Danzi, “Die Zeit”, 8 April 2021. Focus on Switzerland's engagement in development cooperation, including during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Blue Peace Media Lab in the Middle East is a Swiss initiative to promote media reporting on the water sector.

The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) is committed to climate protection and poverty reduction worldwide through sustainable forest management.

The United Nations held a virtual high-level pledging event for the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, co-hosted by the governments of Sweden and Switzerland.

Climate change mitigation is an FDFA foreign policy priority. The SDC promotes energy-efficient cooling solutions to combat global warming.

The SDC is working with PABRA to fight malnutrition, improve food security, stimulate the private sector and empower women.