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.
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.
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.
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.
Nonviolent Peaceforce’s (NP) intervention in Mundri County, Western Equatoria State is aimed at reducing the prevalence and impact of violence. Key activities will include conducting patrols in risky areas, protective accompaniments, advocacy, conducting trainings workshops, awareness raising activities etc. Through this intervention, Switzerland contributes to creating sustainable grassroots-led peaceful solutions to conflict, promotion of Human Rights, SGBV prevention and response among conflict affected communities.
Well-functioning State institutions and governance processes are key to success or failure of the new federal system in Nepal. States are a critical catalyst for identity, conflict resolution, regional development and the consolidation of the peace process. By promoting platforms for intergovern-mental cooperation and deliberative processes, and by fostering implementation capacities and the link with citizens in State 1, the program contributes to a successful federal transition in Nepal.
Switzerland contributes to peace and stability in Nepal by supporting the country’s successful transition to federalism which is a pre-condition for enhanced economic development and prosperity. States are a critical catalyst for identity, conflict resolution and regional development in Nepal’s federal system. The programme therefore supports the State’s systems and capacities for inter-governmental cooperation, implementation and responsiveness towards citizens’ demands.
The aim is to build the capacity of members of intelligence services, as well as relevant oversight and control bodies to ensure that surveillance measures by intelligence services in Macedonia are conducted in accordance with international standards of accountability and respect for human rights. To achieve this, the project will train and provide expertise to members of intelligence services, relevant parliamentary oversight committees and the judiciary, and will support the review and redrafting of relevant laws and regulations.
More than 20 years after the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), landmines, cluster munitions and other explosive remnants of war (ERW) still pose a serious social, economic, environmental and security threat. This last project phase will focus on the improvement and practical implementation of land release techniques and procedures, thus contributing to mine-risk free Bosnia and Herzegovina within reasonable deadlines and to sustainable improvement of living conditions for the inhabitants in communities previously affected by ERW.
The program supports the reforms of the National Police focusing on institutional integrity: reform of the police education system, community policing and effective control systems for personnel. In the Gulf of Fonseca and the Mosquitia, justice and security sector actors, local governments, civil society, private sector and indigenous populations strengthen their cooperation and jointly implement local and regional violence prevention strategies.
The “Pathfinders for Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies” is a group of countries, international organizations, and other stakeholders. The Pathfinders promote more peaceful, just and inclusive societies, as stipulated in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It is intended that the initiative will turn into a movement to accelerate the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 16, which will be reviewed at the High-Level Political Forum 2019. Switzerland – as an advocate of SDG 16 – is a co-convener, a founding member and a donor to the initiative.
Au Burkina Faso, la baisse de 11% de la production agricole 2017/18 a entrainé environ 1 million de personnes dans une crise alimentaire. Cette situation est exacerbée par la crise pastorale et la dégradation du contexte sécuritaire, en particulier dans les régions du Sahel et du Centre Nord. Le Gouvernement a sollicité l’aide des partenaires pour une assistance aux personnes vulnérables et la Suisse y contribuera à travers la FAO et le PAM.
Afghanistan’s cities grow rapidly. Crime, insecurity and social disintegration are an increasing problem in urban areas. The government is struggling to improve the situation affecting its legitimacy and public trust. The Afghanistan Urban Peacebuilding Programme supports municipalities and community-based structures to tackle insecurity through an inclusive approach. The ambition is twofold: improve urban security and governance.
Afghanistan’s cities grow rapidly, accommodating high numbers of internally displaced and returnees. Crime, insecurity and social disintegration are an increasing problem in urban areas. The government is struggling to improve the situation affecting its legitimacy and public trust. The Afghanistan Urban Peacebuilding Programme supports municipalities and community-based structures to tackle insecurity through an inclusive approach. The ambition is twofold: improve urban security and governance for city dwellers.
Land rights are powerful resources for people to achieve sustainable livelihoods. Switzerland joins others in supporting the Global Land Tool Network (3rd Strategic Cycle) for its advocacy work and efforts to provide practical land tools available for authorities to ensure that all people, including women, youth and vulnerable groups, have access to land and tenure security. Switzerland brings in the experiences from other land related partnerships at national, regional and global levels.
In Egypt, Community Based Organisations (CBOs) are key actors in responding to migrant’s[1] basic needs. These include child and adult education, emergency assistance, medical and legal services. The project strengthens the ability of these organisations to provide these much-needed services. Moreover, CBOs will be empowered to advocate for migrant’s needs in the donor community and with decision makers. Reliable and sustainable services for migrants in Egypt also serve the migration interests of Switzerland.
[1] The term migrant in this proposal includes refugees, asylum seekers, new arrivals in the “pre-refugee status determination phase”, (all nationalities identified by UNHCR) and vulnerable migrants (irregular and regular) residing in Egypt.