Two children on a cotton transport truck
Cotton production is an important sector of Kyrgyzstan’s economy and one of its key value chains. © SDC

Conflict, violence and human rights violations: these are among the main challenges to combating poverty and fragility in the wider sense. The fragility of a state is characterised by the government’s inability to ensure the security of the population and provide basic public services, alongside its failure to establish mutually constructive relations with the country’s citizens.

More than 40 countries around the globe, home to some 1.5 billion people, are affected by fragile situations or exposed to violence or conflict. By 2030, more than 80% of the world’s poorest could be living in fragile contexts unless more concerted action is taken now.

Fragility poses a major threat to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Addressing fragility will require greater acceptance of all its nuances by tailoring differentiated approaches to specific contexts and working across the full spectrum of issues, some of which are inherently difficult and sensitive.

Engagement in fragile contexts

Switzerland is stepping up its efforts to prevent and manage the consequences of crises, disasters and fragility. It intends to allocate 50% of its bilateral aid to conflict-affected or fragile contexts.

The SDC’s action in fragile contexts

Switzerland is committed to promoting peaceful, just and inclusive societies. It works directly to ensure that no one is left behind.

Characteristics of fragile contexts

Fragile states and regions are characterised by weak institutions, high rates of poverty, violence, corruption and general arbitrariness. Fragility manifests itself in both development and transition contexts as well as humanitarian crises.

Promoting peaceful and inclusive societies

Focus on SDG 16+ to promote peaceful, equitable and inclusive societies for a sustainable development and to combat conflict.

Preventing conflict and all forms of violence

In preventing violent conflict, the aim is to stop previous conflicts from flaring up again and new conflicts from forming. The task is not simply to prevent crises but also to address the root causes.

Documents

Current projects

Object 145 – 156 of 302

RCA: UNICEF Sous-cluster protection de l’enfance

01.06.2015 - 30.06.2017

Par son appui financier au Sous-cluster protection de l’enfance, la DDC souhaite contribuer au renforcement du système de coordination en RCA, pour assurer une réponse de protection coordonnée pour les enfants affectés par la crise. Ce soutien rentre par ailleurs dans le cadre de la stratégie de la protection de civils (PoC), et plus spécifiquement dans le plan d’action du DFAE pour la protection des enfants associés aux forces et groupes armés.


Project completed

Mitigating the impact of the Syrian refugee crisis on Jordanian vulnerable host communities

01.05.2015 - 31.12.2018

Tensions are increasing between the Jordanian host population and Syrian refugees. This project will put local organisations and municipalities in a better position to address these rising tensions. Thanks to this project, a funding mechanism will be set up to support projects which will increase social cohesion and acceptance between host and refugee populations.


Project completed

Strengthening Voice and Accountability in Kyrgyzstan

Five young girls in yellow costumes at the opening ceremony of the new kindergarten

01.04.2015 - 31.08.2020

Decentralisation is one of the priorities of the Kyrgyz government in power since 2012. In line with this, the main goal of this project is to strengthen the ability of citizens to participate in the budget process in their municipality, and to ensure that local governments use their funds adequately for public services.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Kyrgyzstan
Governance
Conflict & fragility
Decentralisation
Public finance management
Conflict prevention

01.04.2015 - 31.08.2020


CHF 5'740'000



Project completed

Programme d’appui aux réformes et aux élections

01.04.2015 - 31.03.2018

Suite à l’insurrection, un gouvernement transitoire a été mis en place au Burkina avec pour principale mission d’organiser des élections présidentielles et législatives crédibles avant fin novembre 2015. L’enjeu principal de ces élections générales est la restauration de la confiance des citoyennes et citoyens vis-à-vis des gouvernants. La Suisse veut y contribuer à travers l’appui aux actions coordonnées des ONG Diakonia et National Democratic Iinstitute (NDI) et en apportant une contribution au panier commun coordonné par le PNUD sur une durée de trois ans (2015-2018).


Project completed

RCA: NRC Réponse urgence et protection

01.04.2015 - 30.06.2016

Le programme de NRC contribue à améliorer la réponse d’urgence suite aux déplacements de population dans les préfectures de Bamingui Bangoran, Kemo et Mambere Kadei. L’appui financier de la DDC se focus surtout sur le projet dans la préfecture de Bamingui Bangoran qui vise à apporter une assistance pour répondre à des besoins urgents et de couvrir la prévention des conflits communautaires dans la région de Ndélé, domaine non couvert par les autres bailleurs.


Project completed

Restoration of Governance and Reconciliation in Crisis-Affected Communities of Ukraine

Map of the Ukraine

10.02.2015 - 30.06.2018

The SDC is supporting a United Nations project in the Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts that have been affected by the conflict and are still under the control of the national government. The aim is to restore local governance and support dialogue between the various stakeholders with a view to strengthening social cohesion and economic development. This is the first major international initiative aiming at rebuilding the Donbas in eastern Ukraine.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Ukraine
Conflict & fragility

Conflict prevention

10.02.2015 - 30.06.2018


CHF 1'500'000



Project completed

Targeted psychological support for people in the Gaza Strip

A therapist counselling a patient in a consultation room.

01.02.2015 - 31.12.2018

Hardly any other people in the Middle East suffer from mental health issues to the same extent as the Palestinians. The political, economic and social consequences of the closure in the Gaza Strip is affecting people’s health. The Gaza Community Mental Health Programme – supported by the SDC – is providing them with counselling, courses and therapy. 20,000 people received support in 2017 alone.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Palestinian Authority
Conflict & fragility
Health
Human rights
Psycho-social support (till 2016)
Medical services
Conflict prevention
Human rights (incl. Women's rights)
Health systems strengthening

01.02.2015 - 31.12.2018


CHF 1'964'000



Project completed

Terre des hommes Schweiz programme contribution South 2015 - 2016

01.01.2015 - 31.12.2016

Social participation of youth is an objective and at the same time a condition for sustainable development. Young people are often marginalized and lack economic and social perspectives. Youth unemployment worldwide has dramatically risen in the last years and youth, especially girls, are far more exposed to violence and HIV-Aids than adults. terre des hommes schweiz program empowers young people to identify and use opportunities of participation and to advocate within communities for their rights and interests.


Project completed

Brot für alle programme contribution South 2015 - 2016

01.01.2015 - 31.12.2016

Bread for all is the Development Service of the Protestant Churches in Switzerland. Bread for all empowers people in Asia, Latin America and Africa to free themselves from poverty and depen­dency and it motivates people in the North to commit to a fairer world. Bread for all is working in alliance with a network of Swiss NGOs implementing programs on four continents.


Project completed

LEB, TdH, Protection of the Most Vulnerable Children Affected by the Syria crisis in South Lebanon

01.01.2015 - 31.12.2017

Since 2011 almost 1.2 million Syrians crossed into Lebanon seeking safety and shelter. Especially children struggle with many challenges during displacement including family separation, exposure to physical and/or psychological violence, abuse, child labour and exploitation, early marriage, and recruitment by armed groups. Through this project, Terre des hommes builds and expands on its regular interventions in South Lebanon by including Syrian refugee children and strengthening capacities of local child protection actors.


Project completed

Stiftung Kinderdorf Pestalozzi Programmbeitrag Süd 2015 - 2016

01.01.2015 - 31.12.2016

Die Realisierung der Rechte des Kindes auf Zugang zu relevanter, ganzheitlicher und qualitativ guter Bildung und die Förderung von interkulturellen Kompetenzen sind Voraussetzung für eine gerechte, friedliche und nachhaltige Entwicklung. Dies sind die übergeordneten Ziele der internationalen Programme der Stiftung Kinderdorf Pestalozzi. Bildung ist ein Recht und zugleich ein Mittel, um alle anderen Menschenrechte zu verwirklichen.


Project completed

Object 145 – 156 of 302