Swiss Solidarity Is sounding the alarm: As the conflict in Ukraine rages on, donations are running out

Thanks to the solidarity of the people of Switzerland, Swiss Solidarity raised CHF 137.3 million for the victims of the conflict, representing the second largest amount in the foundation’s history. At a time when funding for humanitarian aid has seen significant cutbacks and almost 80% of the funds raised have already been used, Swiss Solidarity is issuing a renewed appeal for solidarity.

Effective and targeted humanitarian aid

Since 2022, thanks to an incredible outpouring of solidarity from the people of Switzerland, Swiss Solidarity has helped 4.9 million beneficiaries through the 134 humanitarian projects it funds. Working with partner organisations including Caritas, the Swiss Red Cross, Helvetas, Medair and Terre des Hommes, Swiss Solidarity focuses on:

• Supporting displaced persons, such as by providing cash assistance, psychological support, accommodation and basic necessities
• Repairing houses and essential infrastructure to provide families with a safe place to live
• Ensuring access to healthcare by rehabilitating medical facilities and supporting vulnerable people

Aid is being delivered in Ukraine thanks to Swiss Solidarity’s partner NGOs, which are working closely with Ukrainian civil society organisations.

A few concrete examples:

• In the oblasts of Kharkiv and Sumy, Medair has restored drinking water systems and sanitary facilities, improving access to safe water for thousands of people.
• In Kherson, the Swiss Red Cross has repaired medical infrastructures and bomb shelters, strengthening local communities’ resilience in the face of hostilities.
• In Odessa, Caritas has established a centre dedicated to children’s psychological and social wellbeing, a safe place where they can take part in creative workshops and receive counselling to rebuild social ties to combat isolation and overcome the lasting trauma of war.
• In Kharkiv, Helvetas is repairing homes to provide people directly affected by the conflict with a warm and dignified place to spend the winter.

A grave humanitarian crisis 

With over 14.6 million people currently in need of humanitarian aid and civilian infrastructure in ruins, the situation in Ukraine is only getting worse. For millions of civilians, accessing clean water, electricity, housing and medical care remains a daily struggle. In much of the country, the fighting and air strikes continue, exhausting the population, forcing many people to move yet again and exacerbating the living conditions of the displaced populations.

Over the past three years, Swiss Solidarity has adapted its aid as the nature of the conflict has changed. At the moment, there is an urgent need to intervene in the regions where the violence is greatest, as well as in Eastern Ukraine and the regions hosting displaced persons. In the absence of additional financial support, these efforts could be halted as early as next year.

Appeal for donations

Swiss Solidarity is calling for a new wave of generosity to ensure that it can continue supporting humanitarian actions on the ground. Donations can still be made at www.swiss-solidarity.org or at any post office in Switzerland by mentioning “Ukraine”.