Swiss humanitarian aid began in Mongolia in the early 2000s in the wake of the dzud, a weather-related disaster which destroyed vast swathes of the country's food stocks. This initial operation switched to development cooperation in 2004, geared towards conservation of natural resources, agriculture and food security.
The 2013–2016 programme is now aimed at guaranteeing the population fair access to natural resources and services, and accompanying Mongolia on its transition to democracy and a market-based economy.