Members of the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit during a practical workshop with Haitian masons
The building of earthquake-resistant infrastructures unfolds via the building of local capacities. Here we see a member of the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit at a practical workshop with bricklayers in Haiti. © SDC

Natural disasters strike rich and poor countries indiscriminately, but the repercussions are much more dramatic in the Global South. An earthquake, cyclone, flood or drought can undo decades of development efforts. The SDC is committed to disaster risk reduction not only to save lives, but also to ensure the sustainability of the socio-economic development of the countries it assists.

SDC Focus

Disaster risk reduction (DRR) is central to all programmes implemented by the SDC. This preventive approach is essential in vulnerable countries at high risk of natural disasters. The goal of DRR is to save lives and safeguard development gains. 

DRR activities focus both on sudden disasters, particularly flooding and earthquakes, and on disasters that make fewer headlines such as droughts. DRR involves action taken before, during and after a disaster. It requires a long-term commitment to strengthening the institutions, human resources and infrastructure of the partner countries concerned. It is an integrated process that encompasses scientific, technical and socio-political considerations.

The SDC promotes an integrated approach to disaster risk management, centred around the stages that typically occur before, during and after natural disasters:

  1. Prevention: reduce existing risks and prevent the emergence of new risks through preventive and planning measures
  2. Management: reduce the impact of a disaster by organising and training rescue teams
  3. Recovery: reduce the risk of future damage by advocating appropriate reconstruction models

Preventive measures can take a wide variety of forms, including the reforestation of catchment areas affected by landslides, forest mapping and the construction of earthquake-resistant schools (as in Haiti). Organising and training rescue teams saves lives and reduces the impact of disasters.

The SDC is also committed to promoting at the international level the experiences gained in the countries where it is active. In this respect, it played a prominent role in the drafting of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. The SDC also works together with international organisations such as the Global Facility for Disaster Risk and Recovery (GFDRR) and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR).

Background

Adopted in March 2015, the Sendai Framework for Action on Disaster Risk Reduction sets out the priorities of the international community for disaster reduction during the 2015–30 period. The Sendai Framework replaced the Hyogo Framework for Action for the 2005–15 period and updated the definition of disaster. The new framework applies to the risk of small-scale and large-scale, frequent and infrequent, sudden and slow-onset disasters, caused by natural or man-made hazards as well as related environmental, technological and biological hazards and risks. It also calls for the strengthening of disaster risk governance, including national platforms.

DRR concerns all sectors of society. It only proves effective when everyone does their part: national and local authorities, the private sector (the insurance sector in particular), civil society, international organisations and the public at large.

Switzerland is internationally renowned for its expertise in DRR. In Switzerland, the SDC is leveraging its partnerships with other units in the Federal Administration to transfer this knowledge to its partner countries. It has joined forces with the Federal Office for the Environment, the Federal Office for Civil Protection and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), as well as a number of NGOs, the private sector, various universities and the Swiss National Platform for Natural Hazards (PLANAT).

Online tool

DRR is more than a priority theme for the SDC: it is a working methodology. Each project in a country at risk is evaluated to determine how vulnerable it is to potential disasters, and activities are planned to mitigate identified risks. To this end, the SDC has created the CEDRIG Online Tool (Climate, Environment and Disaster Risk Reduction Integration Guidance). Intended for all development and humanitarian aid professionals, this online tool can be used to integrate into project designs the risks associated with natural hazards, climate change and environmental degradation.

CEDRIG Online Tool

SDC internet portal on disaster risk reduction

Specialised information (news, documents, instruments, methods) on knowledge sharing and cooperation with partners and experts

SDC Disaster Risk Reduction Network

Documents

Current projects

Object 49 – 60 of 114

Disaster Risk Reduction for Sustainable Development in Bosnia and Herzegovina – Joint UN Project

01.09.2018 - 31.12.2022

High exposure to natural hazards coupled with insufficient technical, organizational, and financial capacities of BiH’s institutions and governments directly impede the country’s socio-economic development and increase population vulnerability. This Project, jointly implemented by five UN Agencies, will reduce the social and economic vulnerabilities of citizens and institutions affected by disasters and climate change by introducing and operationalizing an integrated model of disaster risk governance and livelihood enhancement starting with selected local municipalities.


Réduction de risques de catastrophes naturelles dans le Sud et le Sud-est d’Haïti

01.09.2018 - 31.08.2022

En Haïti, les catastrophes répétées détruisent les actifs des populations, les infrastructures économiques et provoquent des pertes en vies humaines. Elles freinent la croissance et le développement. Le projet vise à réduire les risques naturels via le transfert de compétences aux acteurs locaux, la sensibilisation des populations et la création de conditions favorables à la planification/réalisation des mesures de réduction de risques qui protègent les personnes vulnérables de certaines communes du Sud et du Sud-est, 2 des départements les plus à risques.


Améliorer la sécurité alimentaire et nutritionnelle aux provinces du Kadiogo, Zoundwéogo et de l’Oubritenga

01.09.2018 - 31.08.2021

Le Burkina Faso fait face à des crises de sécurité alimentaire et de malnutrition récurrentes pour des raisons structurelles et conjoncturelles. L’approche intégrée et innovatrice proposée par ce projet vise à améliorer les conditions de vie et développer la résilience des populations vulnérables selon trois axes : la récupération des enfants malnutris ; la mise en place de groupes d’apprentissage communautaires pour les femmes enceintes et les mères d’enfant; ainsi que l’amélioration de l’environnement sanitaire et des moyens d’existence. Ce programme s’inscrit dans la nouvelle vision du « programme lait » de la Confédération. 


ACTED Earthquake response in Chong-Alai region

01.07.2018 - 31.03.2019

To complement and complete the efforts supported by Switzerland in the immediate aftermath of earthquakes in remote Chong-Alai region in May 2017, the project's Phase 2 will provide shelter construction assistance to the remaining vulnerable earthquake-affected households that were unable to re-build their houses. The assistance will be in the form of distribution of construction materials to the remaining affected households and provision of technical assistance on affordable and replicable earthquake-safe construction techniques.


UNICEF - RRM

01.05.2018 - 28.02.2019

La DDC par son appui financier au mécanisme de réponse rapide (RRM) dirigé par UNICEF participe à un financement rapide qui aide la communauté humanitaire à répondre aux activités d'urgencepermettant d'améliorer les conditions de vie des personnes vulnérables aiguës affectées par un choc humanitaire et la préservation de leur sécurité et dignité. Le RRM maintien une capacité de veille humanitaire, d'évaluation et de réponse rapide aux besoins urgents identifiés en biens non alimentaires et en eau et assainissement. 


Additional Contribution 2018 to WFP’s Emergency Response in Madagascar

01.01.2018 - 31.12.2018

In line with the Good Humanitarian Donorship (GHD) principles, Switzerland recognizes the necessity of predictable and flexible funding to respond to changing needs in humanitarian crises. SDC funding to WFP operations allows the World Food Programme (WFP) to respond proactively and to provide immediate food assistance in life-threatening situations.


TUR STL Facilitating the PRotection and Resilience of Syrian Refugees in Istanbul

01.10.2017 - 30.11.2019

Around 500'000 Syrian refugees in Istanbul are exposed to multiple social and protection risks. In December 2015, the national NGO Support-to-Life (STL) with partial SDC funding set up a community center in Küçükçekmece, a populous industrial city district.The center provides protection and social support, promotes linkages to the host community and referral to state services with an increased focus on women, children and youth among the refugees. 


A toolbox for sustainable sefl-reliance

Workers learn how to build stable houses in cyclone-affected Southwestern Haiti.

06.09.2017 - 31.03.2022

Haiti has been repeatedly devastated by earthquakes and hurricanes in recent years. SDC engineers are now working with those affected to build more stable houses from local materials. Five hundred new homes are to be built by 2021.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Haiti
Climate change and environment
Humanitarian Assistance & DRR
Vocational training
Governance

Disaster risk reduction DRR
Humanitarian efficiency
Vocational training
Public sector policy

06.09.2017 - 31.03.2022


CHF 4'509'500



IRQ Oxfam – Integrated WASH and Protection response to conflict affected communities in Diyala governorate

01.09.2017 - 28.02.2020

A majority of people living in rural northern Diyala do not have access to potable water which results in communities utilizing unsafe sources like rivers and irrigation channels. The lack of solid waste management systems further aggravates the poor health conditions within this area. This project aims at reducing water and sanitation related risks and increasing access to clean water for IDPs, returnees and host communities living in the districts of Kifri and Khanaqin. It also helps particularly vulnerable families access protection services.


Sierra Leone Landslide: Contribution to IFRC Emergency Appeal

23.08.2017 - 24.08.2018

On the night of 13 August 2017, the city of Freetown in Sierra Leone and its outskirts experienced torrential rains and landslides. At least 400 people were killed following the collapse of a hillside. 600 people are still missing and 3’000 were displaced. Through this contribution, Switzerland will assist 9’600 victims and affected people in Freetown with emergency and recovery services to improve the condition of shelter, water sanitation and hygiene as well as health care.


Support to Portugal in fighting wildfires

19.08.2017 - 15.11.2017

Wildfires in Portugal this year have accounted for more than one third of the burnt forest in the entire 28-nation European Union. As national capacities are not sufficient to end successfully the blazes, Portugal requested international support, which is delivered by Marocco and EU states. August 18 Switzerland received and positively answered an official request from the Portuguese government.


Intervention en santé mentale et soutien psychosocial pour les migrants au Niger

15.08.2017 - 28.02.2019

2016 environ 200,000 migrants sont passés par le Niger sur l’axe Niger-Lybie/Algérie. Ces migrants sont souvent exposés à des violations graves des droits de l’homme et des traumas. Seule une petite proportion des migrants bénéficie d’une forme d’assistance couvrant les besoins essentiels (santé, abri, nourriture). Une réponse aux traumatismes subis est quasi inexistante. Par ce co-financement, la Suisse contribue donc au renforcement d’une réponse santé mentale/psychosociale ainsi que d’autres services de protection pour les migrants au Niger pour préserver leur bien-être et le potentiel de développement humain.

Object 49 – 60 of 114