How does Switzerland respond to a disaster abroad?

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In 2010, Haiti was hit by a 7.0-magnitude earthquake. Switzerland's Humanitarian Aid group was in Port-au-Prince; one of the tasks was to provide medical assistance. (AP/Francois Mori) AP/Francois Mori

A Swiss Humanitarian aid worker searches through the rubble for survivors, after more than 1,000 people were killed and close to 7,000 injured during an earthquake that struck northern Algeria in 2003. (Keystone/Gaetan Bally) Keystone/Gaetan Bally

The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation giving out mattresses and essential items to the displaced people in Matara, Sri Lanka, after a tsunami hit the country in January 2005. (Keystone/Steffen Schmidt) Keystone/Steffen Schmidt

Swiss Humanitarian Aid sent 50 tons of relief supplies including 300 tents, heating stoves, blankets, sleeping mats and cooking sets, to 300 families in northern Iraq in September 2014. Keystone/Peter Klaunzer

A family who fled from Homs to Lebanon, are given an upgraded tent for the winter months at an informal tented community in the Bekaa Valley, December 13. 2012. Swiss Caritas provided waterproof sheeting, wood, nails and adhesives, allowing the refugees to better protect their tents from the rain, wind and cold. (Caritas/Sam Tarling) Caritas/Sam Tarling

An earthquake near the city of Van in Turkey in October, 2011 was recorded with a magnitude of 7.1 on the richter scale. Swiss Red Cross sent tents for families to the affected areas. Keystone/Peter Klaunzer

Swiss President Alain Berset (third from left) with Monika Schmutz Kirgoz, Swiss Ambassador to Lebanon (left) met Syrian refugees and members of the Red Cross at the refugee camp in Tall Mayaan, Lebanon in August 2018. (Keystone/Peter Klaunzer) Keystone/Peter Klaunzer

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Following the earthquake in Indonesia on Friday, September 28, a tsunami has left more than 1,000 people dead, several hundred injured and caused enormous damage. The Indonesian government has called for urgent international aid, and Switzerland has responded with its own offer of assistance.

On Monday, October 1, Switzerland said it would send a team of seven emergency aid experts to help. The group includes doctors, alongside water, construction and logistics experts. The Swiss Humanitarian AidExternal link (SHA) unit responds to such disasters abroad often by sending highly-trained professionals into the crisis area at short notice to help with specific emergency needs. 

In 2012, the members of the SHA completed more than 500 assignments abroad and spent more than 50,000 days working for the unit. Although who is called in to help varies depending on the situation, that amount tallies up to the equivalent of 135 full-time positions. Between 2010 and 2012, the Rapid Border Intervention Teams were deployed 31 times. 

The Swiss foreign ministry says the main objectives of the SHA are to “help save human lives where they are at risk, and to help alleviate suffering”. They see their role in this process as not just focussing on rescue missions, but also on “suitable prevention” measures. The work centres around the victims of natural disasters and armed conflict.

Swiss fundraising campaign for Indonesia

Friday, October 5 is a national fundraising day in Switzerland, to collect funds to help victims of the disaster in Indonesia. It’s organised by Swiss SolidarityExternal link, a humanitarian foundation with close links to the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation, SRG, the parent company of swissinfo.ch. It works with 26 Swiss NGOs.

Donations can be made hereExternal link, and will take care of the most urgent needs such as access to water, food, shelter and medical care. Later – if the funds allow – projects will also be supported which help the affected population to recover from the disaster, for example by generating income again, or to help with the repair or reconstruction of houses.