Ukraine
Switzerland is supporting Ukraine on its path to peace and sustainable development. Since the start of Russia’s military aggression, Switzerland has significantly increased its support for Ukraine and has been working to help people affected by the conflict. It provides humanitarian aid, engages in development cooperation and contributes to recovery efforts.
Context in Ukraine
Even prior to Russia’s military aggression, Ukraine was one of Europe’s poorest countries. Following the armed conflict in the east of the country and the annexation of Crimea in 2014, some parts of Ukrainian territory are no longer under the government’s control. Millions of people have been forced to flee the country or been internally displaced. The conflict has claimed thousands of civilian casualties and caused long-term damage to infrastructure. The economy is seeing significant job losses, with many people being driven into poverty.
Ukraine has been a priority country for Switzerland’s international cooperation since the 1990s. Switzerland has increased its support, adapted existing projects to the current circumstances and included a strong humanitarian component. Its 2025-2028 country cooperation for Ukraine is also tailored to the much-changed conditions.
The latest news and information on measures taken by the Confederation in relation to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine:
Humanitarian aid
In undertaking its humanitarian cooperation work in Ukraine, Switzerland plays a triple role:
- providing financial support for partner organisations and delivering aid;
- deploying the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA);
- advocating respect for international humanitarian law.
Switzerland’s humanitarian programme in Ukraine is aimed at addressing acute needs in terms of food security, the protection of victims and victims’ rights, health, heating and energy security, and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). Some of the aid is used to help Ukrainian refugees in neighbouring countries, especially Moldova.
Peace, protection and democratic institutions
Switzerland works to strengthen democratic institutions at national and sub-national levels (e.g. local authorities) in Ukraine, promoting in particular the participation of women and vulnerable communities in political processes. It has offered to act as a mediator between the parties to the conflict and to host peace talks. Switzerland is also continuing its pre-2022 support for Ukrainian partner organisations involved in documenting and investigating human rights abuses, and is assisting the Ukrainian authorities and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in searching for and identifying missing persons. Starting in 2024, a CHF 100 million support package is being deployed over four years to carry out humanitarian demining, protect civilians and enable the resumption of farming.
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), competitiveness and urban development
Switzerland is working to maintain the competitiveness of SMEs and create a business-friendly environment, thereby safeguarding jobs and supporting livelihoods in urban and rural areas. Ukraine’s recovery is a huge task in which the private sector will necessarily play a key role. Meanwhile, sustainability and resource-efficient and climate-friendly economic growth are relevant issues even amidst the ongoing war. To strengthen the resilience of the population and civilian infrastructure, Switzerland is supporting three core areas in Ukrainian cities: energy efficiency, integrated urban development and sustainable mobility.
Health
In the area of health, Switzerland is committed to improving governance and promoting health awareness among the population.
Switzerland’s cooperation work also extends to mental health services and the rehabilitation of people traumatised by the war.
Approach and main partners
Swiss support is provided through cooperation between the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and the Peace and Human Rights Division (PHRD) of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). The majority of relief items supplied by Switzerland come from stock maintained by the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS). The Federal Council Delegate for Ukraine is responsible for strategic management of the country programme and of the project organisation that implements it.
Switzerland’s main partners in Ukraine are:
- Ukrainian authorities at national, regional and municipal levels;
- Swiss non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and centres of expertise: Skat, Innovabridge, Swiss TPH, Swisscontact and the Swiss Red Cross (SRC);
- International and local civil society organisations: the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) and Right to Protection;
- International organisations: the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the Council of Europe, the ICRC, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).
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Contact
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