Published on 11 March 2025

Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA)

The Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA) is the operational arm of the SDC’s Humanitarian Aid. Its specialists are deployed to implement projects of the SDC or its United Nations (UN) partners before, during and after natural disasters, crises and conflicts.

The members of the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit always work in partnership with local experts. — © SDC

The SHA is a corps of around 550 specialists who are on call in times of need. They are mostly deployed to carry out SDC’s Humanitarian Aid projects abroad. Some members are seconded to UN agencies, where they contribute their experience and expertise. The specialists are divided into expert groups and sent to the field, where they implement prevention activities or support communities affected by conflicts or natural disasters.

The Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA) and its expert groups

SHA specialists are divided into expert groups according to their know-how and skills. This enables the unit to provide targeted and effective support in the priority areas of the SDC’s Humanitarian Aid.

• Expert group «Coordination and Administration»

  The specialists of the «Coordination and Administration» expert group perform a wide range of tasks in the management of Swiss and international aid programmes before, during and after natural disasters, crises and conflicts.

  Professional experience: management, coordination, finance and human resources.

• Expert group «Cash»

  The specialists of the «Cash» expert group are responsible for devising and setting up cash and voucher assistance (CVA) programmes at Swiss cooperation offices or partner organisations. Cash transfer programming (CTP) during and/or in the aftermath of a conflict or disaster requires careful planning, and the specialist must pay close attention to local economic conditions and target groups.

  Professional experience: CVA, social protection experience working with local authorities, project management.

• Expert group «Logistics/Support and TechCom»

  During and/or in the aftermath of a conflict or disaster, the «Logistics/Support and TechCom» expert group is responsible for the procurement, maintenance and distribution of essential items and the functioning of telecommunications equipment. This could include tents, gas stoves, water purification products, hygiene kits and other emergency equipment. The specialists must ensure that these essential items reach the crisis areas and are installed as quickly as possible.

  Professional experience: logistics, transport, transshipment, land, sea and air convoys, procurement of technical equipment and inventory management, national and international experience, electrical engineering, IT.

• Expert group «Construction»

  The specialists of the «Construction» expert group are responsible for planning, advising and supervising reconstruction projects (housing, schools, hospitals) in cooperation with local partners. In situations of acute crisis, they set up temporary infrastructure (tents and shelters). The group also trains local staff, for example in building safety in earthquake zones.

  Professional experience: architecture, civil engineering (buildings, roads, access roads), construction management and land use planning.

• Expert group «Water and Environmental Sanitation»

  The work of the specialists of the «Water and Environmental Sanitation» expert group includes groundwater abstraction and the construction or rehabilitation of water treatment, storage and distribution systems. They also deal with the treatment of waste water and carry out tasks relating to the measurement and testing of water quality. In the event of a natural or technological disaster, they carry out assessments and take the necessary emergency measures in cooperation with the authorities of the affected country and partner organisations. Another priority for the group is the training of local staff.

  Professional experience: civil engineering, hydrogeology, chemistry, biology, physics and environment.

• Expert group «Environment and Disaster Risk Reduction»

  The specialists of the «Environment and Disaster Risk Reduction» expert group are involved in preventive work to reduce disaster risks. Their work includes hazard mapping, setting up prevention mechanisms and raising risk awareness among the local population, as well as training specialists at local and national level in the countries where they work. Members of the group may also be deployed to analyse the environment of a region following a conflict, natural disaster or technological accident with humanitarian implications.

  Professional experience: environment, natural sciences (chemistry, physics, forestry and agricultural engineering, agronomy, geology, hydrology, geography), management of a crisis unit in Switzerland.

• Expert group «Medical»

  The specialists of the «Medical» expert group are generally deployed on short-term missions, following a crisis situation or epidemic. Their role is to assess the medical situation, care for survivors, distribute health kits and support local hospitals in the affected country. In the event of an epidemic, they work with local authorities to limit the spread of the virus through preventive measures.

  Professional experience: epidemiology, war surgery, disaster medicine, public health, microbiology, nutrition.

• Expert group «Rescue»

  The specialists of the «Rescue» expert group are deployed in rescue missions organised by the SDC’s Humanitarian Aid following a major earthquake. Their task is to help survivors and rescue people from the rubble. In addition to emergency operations, they advise foreign governments on the development of disaster response capacities. These specialists are also mobilised to form international urban search and rescue teams.

  Professional experience: Swiss Army Rescue Group.

• Expert group «Security»

  The specialists of the «Security» expert group are deployed to advise SHA teams on security issues related to an operation. They analyse the situation, assess the risks and train the teams accordingly. The members of the group serve the entire Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). They carry out regular missions abroad to SDC cooperation offices and Swiss embassies. The group’s specialists work closely with the FDFA’s Crisis Management Centre.

  Professional experience: police, security: UN, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), private sector, etc.

• Expert group «Information»

  The members of the «Information» expert group are specialists in journalism, photography, audiovisual production and communication. They coordinate relations with media representatives in the field during acute crises and document the activities of the SDC’s Humanitarian Aid. They work closely with the FDFA’s Communication Division. They may also be called upon to carry out specific communication projects for Humanitarian Aid at headquarters.

  Professional experience: journalism, writing, audiovisual skills, photography, communication.

• Expert group «Protection»

  The specialists of the «Protection» expert group work to protect the rights, safety, integrity and dignity of people affected by armed conflict and natural disasters. They are usually seconded to UN humanitarian agencies such as the Refugee Agency (UNHCR). Depending on the agency and context, SHA specialists may be called upon to work in a variety of specific areas: protection of refugees and internally displaced persons, sexual and gender-based violence, child protection, the mainstreaming of protection principles in all humanitarian responses, coordination and advocacy.

  Professional experience: expertise in the above areas with field experience (minimum two years) with a specialised or mandated UN agency/NGO.

Info for members of the SHA

This zone is intended for SHA members and can only be accessed with a password.

Infoportal

SHA members can apply for a password at: [e-mail]