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World Malaria Day: The SDC reaffirms its commitment to fight malaria

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25.04.2016 — Press release EDA
There has been some success in the fight against malaria since the turn of the millennium – not least thanks to Switzerland's activities in this field. Nevertheless, more than 400,000 people still die from the disease every year, mostly children under five. At the event to mark World Malaria Day on 25 April 2016, SDC Director General Manuel Sager therefore appealed to all partners involved to continue the fight against malaria with the same shared determination. Only in this way can the goal of the international community be achieved to reduce the incidence of this deadly disease by 90% by 2030, he said.


Working shoulder to shoulder with the Nepalese a year on from the earthquake

A builder talking with two villagers in front of a rehabilitated house.

22.04.2016 — Article DEZA

After sending emergency aid to Nepal in the wake of the devastating earthquake of 25 April 2015, Switzerland sprang into action with the Nepalese people to rebuild anything that could be rebuilt. It was a gargantuan task, requiring patience and perseverance. But one year on, though day-to-day life remains fraught with difficulty, thousands of Nepalese have reason to feel content.



Dual vocational education and training, a key instrument for development cooperation

The SDC has always worked in the area of promoting vocational education and training.

14.04.2016 — Press release EDA
Today in Lucerne, in order to enhance its work in vocational education and training – always a priority of Swiss aid – Switzerland, through the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), created a donor committee with Germany, Austria and Liechtenstein. The four countries will pool their expertise and support projects in developing countries to improve economic prospects for young people and enable them to access local labour markets.


Switzerland's official development assistance in 2015

13.04.2016 — Press release EDA
With an official development assistance (ODA) rate of 0.52% of its gross national income (GNI), Switzerland remained in 2015 in the top third of donor countries according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Switzerland ranks 8th among the 29 member states of the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC), which will publish its ranking this Wednesday. Switzerland spends over 13% of its ODA on hosting asylum seekers during their first year in Switzerland.


Switzerland's activities in the Western Balkans during the migration crisis

Migrants waiting to be officially registered.

11.04.2016 — Article DEZA

According to the office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), in 2015 more than 700,000 people – mainly from Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq – took the Western Balkans route on their way to Central and Northern Europe.  Switzerland is supporting Serbian and Macedonian non-governmental organisations (NGOs) within the framework of migration partnerships. The work of these NGOs complements the efforts of national governments and international organisations in meeting the most urgent needs of the large number of migrants.


Switzerland launches Foreign Policy Action Plan on Preventing Violent Extremism

08.04.2016 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), unveiled Switzerland’s Foreign Policy Action Plan on Preventing Violent Extremism at the Geneva Conference on Preventing Violent Extremism co-organised by the UN and Switzerland on 7 and 8 April 2016. Switzerland is using this initiative to contribute towards combating terrorism through preventative measures by strengthening the resilience of individuals and communities. The UN Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism launched in December 2015 was in turn well supported by the high-ranking state representatives attending the conference who also highlighted the UN’s key role in this area.


Preventing violence by addressing the causes of extremism

Stefan, 24 years old, in front of a graffiti-covered wall.

07.04.2016 — Article DEZA

Switzerland works on several levels to prevent violent extremism. It engages in on-the-ground cooperation projects aimed at strengthening institutions, promoting peace and supporting equitable development. In addition to providing young people with training opportunities, more extensive reforms are being promoted to reduce inequality and the sense of exclusion, which commonly trigger violence.


Engagement in fragile states: Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter calls for sustainable measures to eliminate the root causes of conflicts

At the Meeting of the International Dialogue on Peacebuilding and Statebuilding (IDPS), Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter calls for sustained measures to eliminate the root causes of conflicts.

05.04.2016 — Press release EDA
At the 5th Global Meeting of the International Dialogue on Peacebuilding and Statebuilding (IDPS) in Stockholm, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter stressed that a long-term commitment by all the actors is the only way to eliminate the causes of fragility and violent conflict. The participants at the meeting agreed to continue the New Deal for Engagement in Fragile States, a reform agenda designed to promote both peacebuilding and the development of state structures and institutions. Switzerland is already strongly committed in fragile contexts and is going to expand its aid programmes in line with the Federal Council's Dispatch on International Cooperation 2017-2020. The aim is also to prevent young people in particular from succumbing to the temptations of violent extremism.


Colombia, Afghanistan, Gaza: Switzerland supports the elimination of landmines and unexploded ordnance

Swiss logistics advisor working for the UN mine action programme in the Democratic Republic of Congo: training the handling of the generator.

04.04.2016 — Press release EDA
In 2015 Switzerland actively engaged in humanitarian mine action as a concrete contribution to peace and security. It supported specific projects in Afghanistan, Cambodia, Colombia, Gaza, Mali and Myanmar, among others, and seconded an average of ten specialists to UN mine action programmes. This engagement bolsters humanitarian aid, development cooperation and peacebuilding, as it has in Colombia, where one of the longest civil wars has come to an end. The latest annual report provides an overview of the activities carried out by the Confederation in 2015.



Swimming in the North for clean drinking water in the South

On his expedition to Milan for the 2015 Universal Exposition, water ambassador Ernst Bromeis swam the whole length of Lake Maggiore freestyle. The sun, about to rise behind the mountains in this photograph, is powerfully reflected in the waters of the lake.

22.03.2016 — Article DEZA

A former trainer of triathlon athletes, Ernst Bromeis now devotes himself to the work of a "water ambassador". The native of Graubünden is particularly involved in the Solidarit’eau suisse project, initiated by the SDC to improve access to water in the countries of the South. To mark World Water Day, he speaks about his commitment to the sustainable use of this precious resource.

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