Skip to main content

Stories and News

The following stories and news on development cooperation and humanitarian aid illustrate how the SDC fulfils Switzerland's mandate to alleviate need and poverty, improve respect for human rights, promote democracy and protect the environment worldwide.

A map of the world with Switzerland highlighted, surrounded by pictograms illustrating the six topics covered in the article.

4 December 2024

International co-operation as integral part of Swiss security policy

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

Photograph showing solar panels installed on the roof of a company in South Africa.

28 November 2024

REPIC: 20 Years of innovation for sustainable and global solutions

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

An AI-generated image showing a woman inserting a red rose into a rifle magazine.

26 November 2024

Creative workshops: Reflecting on crises, humanity and the digital world

Creative workshops run by the Dialogues on Humanity exhibition invite schools to reflect on nature, hope, dignity and the boundaries between reality and fiction.

SDC Director-General Patricia Danzi on a visit to the Kantha Bopha hospital in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

26 November 2024

«A big step for development»

"The integration of the Kantha Bopha hospitals into the Cambodian healthcare system is a big step for development," says SDC Director-General Patricia Danzi.

Deminer Leav Path of the HALO Trust.

25 November 2024

Once the mines are gone, there is an explosion in development

Cambodia is one of the countries most heavily contaminated with landmines in the world. Thanks in part to Swiss support, the country can be cleared of mines and returned to the population.

A person in a red dress walks across a dry, reddish-brown field with a trench for water harvesting. Trees and hills are visible in the background under a clear blue sky.

22 November 2024

Surviving a drought thanks to sustainable agricultural practices

The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) promotes drought-tolerant agricultural practices to bolster the resilience of Zimbabwe’s farming communities.

A young woman and a young man look at each other questioningly. In a pink speech bubble, it says: WHY CARE?

20 November 2024

WHY CARE? The podcast of the SDC

The SDC podcast WHY CARE? is released every month. In the podcast, guests discuss questions related to Switzerland's international cooperation.

Two women are pouring water from a bucket over plants that are placed in containers on a wooden plank.

13 November 2024

Skills development for Tanzania’s vulnerable youth

Through its project SET the SDC contributes to skills development for vulnerable youth in Tanzania so that they can find gainful employment.

Two people are sitting on a sofa, another person is sitting on a chair laughing. They are in a recording studio with “Niambie” written on a large TV in the background.

11 November 2024

Celebrating 10 years of Niambie, Tanzania’s youth-focused radio show

Switzerland has supported media in Tanzania for ten years. Among the supported media is Niambie, a youth-focused radio show produced by BBC Media Action.

A group of women are sitting in light green chairs listening to a woman who is standing. In the foreground garments, lettuce and a bag of stones are laid out on a table.

23 October 2024

Tanzanian women’s small businesses are lifting them out of poverty

Despite its growing economy many Tanzanians remain in extreme poverty. Women and the youth are particularly vulnerable. The social insurance programme TASAF aims to bring people – particularly women – together for their economic empowerment. In Dar es Salaam two groups of women have bundled their energy and created sustainable small businesses. As a result, they have escaped extreme poverty and are able to stand on their own two feet.

A healthcare worker, wearing a white coat over a shirt with thin red stripes, looking towards a shelf containing boxes of medicines.

10 October 2024

Mental health: a cornerstone of lasting peace

Mental health: treating conflict-related trauma is essential to promote social cohesion and peacebuilding in Burundi.

One woman from the Swiss Team walks with a man and a woman in the burned forest.

7 October 2024

Forest fires in Bolivia – Switzerland’s Humanitarian Assistance

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.

Three members of the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit speak with local people in an area affected by a landslide.

4 October 2024

Typhoon Yagi in Vietnam: Switzerland supports humanitarian response

Typhoon Yagi in Vietnam: The SDC deployed an emergency team of the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit and supported relief efforts.

A small clearing in the dense forest, Mafate, 2021, from the series Vivants 2018-2022

2 October 2024

Humanity in a Frame

The Exhibition Dialogues on Humanity deals with our feelings about images of humanitarian crises, violence, armed conflict and natural disasters.

Photo of a 3D model of a hill, with color variations to reflect the risk of hazards.

11 September 2024

Haiti: preventive measures to better adapt to climate change

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.

From a high vantage point, one can see a sandy beach being lapped by ocean waves. On the sand, a colorful and imposing message, 'We Are Water,' appears. It is colorful and vibrant.

6 September 2024

Water for a sustainable future – young people playing their part

The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) works to promote the realisation of the human rights related to water and sustainable water management at all levels. To do this, it is working closely with young people.

5 September 2024

Observing snow and ice to strengthen climate resilience in Central Asia's mountain regions

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

Victims of the floods of 2010 in Pakistan walk through water-filled streets in the northwestern city of Nowshera.

21 August 2024

Where livelihoods are destroyed, people have to flee

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

Worker kneeling next to electric bus.

19 August 2024

Breathing Hope

The objective of CALAC+ is to reduce harmful air pollutants in Latin American capitals through the deployment of soot-free engines in urban public transport

A woman, member of the Honey East Association, is sitting in the grass in front of beehives.

19 August 2024

Nature Conservation and Local Development: It’s a Match!

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

A woman wearing blue overalls and an orange hard hat moves a pile of bricks onto a trolley.

15 August 2024

The modern, eco-friendly brick

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

A man poses with a cow in a meadow.

23 July 2024

A Plus For Humanity: the SDC podcast

Every month, the SDC podcast A Plus For Humanity reports on international cooperation and humanitarian aid projects.

Aerial view of a shelter construction site in Africa.

22 July 2024

Reducing the environmental footprint of the humanitarian shelter sector

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

At the bank of a river in Bangladesh, a woman, with her son at her side, counts the cash assistance she received through an anticipatory action programme.

18 July 2024

Ready for anything: how Anticipatory Action is saving lives

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.

Cars and motorcycles are driving on a road in Benin. Informal housing settlements have been built next to the road.

10 July 2024

Africa in crisis, emerging Africa

Africa is often seen as an emerging continent whose young population is stimulating booming economic growth. Simultaneously, the continent is haunted by crises.

Two women in red and yellow veils stand in front of their fruit stall. Shelves full of fruit and vegetables surround them.

10 July 2024

Promoting dietary diversity to achieve the ‹zero hunger› goal

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

Cocoa beans

5 July 2024

The rebirth of Honduran cocoa

Thanks to Swiss support, the cocoa sector in Honduras has developed considerably over the past decade and the income of the producers has improved.

Father and daughter laugh into the camera

4 July 2024

60 years of successful cooperation

By the end of 2024, the SDC will progressively phase out bilateral development cooperation in Latin America and the Caribbean. A look back.

A local woman builds a wall.

4 July 2024

Haiti

In Haiti, the SDC rapidly and effectively integrated emergency relief with reconstruction and development projects, thereby creating synergies.

Group picture of the Lithuanian delegation with the organisers of the exchange visit.

25 June 2024

The backbone of democracy: Civic engagement in Switzerland and in Lithuania

The second Swiss contribution promotes civic engagement in selected EU-countries like Lithuania.

A local man stands in a withered maize field.

21 June 2024

Drought and hunger in Southern Africa – Switzerland provides emergency relief

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.

Valerii poses in front of his farm in Kharkiv oblast.

10 June 2024

Promoting humanitarian demining and ensuring self-sufficiency for farmers in Ukraine

The conference is one of the stops on the way to the Ukraine Mine Action Conference, which will take place in Lausanne in October.

A Syrian refugee takes his missing daughter in his arms and kisses her on the forehead.

22 May 2024

Finding and identifying missing persons is essential to rebuilding countries

Increasing conflicts and wars make peacebuilding all the more relevant. Find out how Switzerland actively promotes peace.

A hand holds a life-saving white pill between index finger and thumb.

22 May 2024

Making the production of medicines against deadly diseases possible. The SDC supports.

For decades, an antidote to the deadly sleeping sickness lay dormant in the Sanofi archives. Until it was rediscovered with the support of the SDC.

 A series of photographs illustrates the different levels – science, local communities, and international organisations – required to protect mountain regions.

22 May 2024

Strengthening the resilience of mountain regions to climate change

Discover how the SDC aims to enhance the resilience of mountain regions against climate change by providing scientific data.

A woman in an orange sari harvesting fresh, green vegetables in an otherwise dry area. Solar panels can be seen in the background.

22 May 2024

International cooperation: combating global poverty and crises

With the accountability report on international cooperation, the Federal Council takes stock and gives an account to parliament.

Tetiana Bohuslavska, psychologist for the Act for Health project, holds the hand of a child.

17 May 2024

Mental Health: A Neglected Component of Peace

Mental health issues are widespread in conflicts and addressing them is critical for lasting peace. The SDC supports systemic and locally-led efforts in Ukraine and other countries.

In a training workshop, a young woman with a head covering works on a mechanical component, observed by two male apprentices.

10 May 2024

Millions deprived of education – FDFA creates opportunities

To combat poverty and inequality, Switzerland is committed to good quality education and equal opportunities for all.

A young journalist stands in front of a giant screen and presents the news.

7 May 2024

An inclusive culture of debate

The Debating Our Destiny project, which is being supported by the SDC in the Arabic-speaking world, gives young people and marginalised groups a voice.

A group of women work at a table in Tanzania. Papers are laid out on it.

25 April 2024

Development cooperation and research: a promising model

The r4d Programme, run by the SDC and the SNSF, ended this month. Odile Robert from the SDC offers insights in this interview.

A Nicaraguan farmer in front of her water reservoir.

19 April 2024

Nicaragua

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

A Honduran policeman studies a brochure.

19 April 2024

Honduras

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

Bolivian farmer holds potatoes in her hands.

19 April 2024

Bolivia

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

A Cuban LGBT activist stands on the street.

19 April 2024

Cuba

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

A woman wearing a helmet and protective vest defuses an explosive device.

11 April 2024

"Mine clearance creates spaces for reconciliation"

Humanicemos is an organisation for action against anti-personnel mines. It was founded as part of the peace agreement between the Colombian government and the FARC.

A man wearing a leather jacket standing in a green and lush jungle.

11 April 2024

Harvesting Peace: producing chocolate with former FARC combatants

An Article about the Peace Dividend Initiative and it’s chocolate project in Colombia.

Solar systems operate the water pumping station in Fekha, which was rehabilitated by the SDC.

11 April 2024

Lebanon: more water, less tensions

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

Two women are sitting across from each other, looking at each other and holding hands

11 April 2024

Women in Mali: peacebuilders

To promote women’s engagement in peace processes, Switzerland is supporting the circles of peace in Mali. Interview with Bintou Founé Samaké, WILDAF/Mali.

Contact

Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)
Eichenweg 5
3003 Bern