Demonstrators prepare to clash with the police during a protest in Yangon, Myanmar, on Monday
Keystone / Lynn Bo Bo
Switzerland has suspended development aid for Myanmar, the foreign ministry has confirmed. Only emergency aid is being maintained, amid an intensified crackdown by the country’s military on massive protests against last month’s coup.
As a result, the lion’s share of this year’s budget of CHF36 million ($38.5 million) will be blocked. In addition, the ministry is reviewing 30 projects in Myanmar and is studying all options.
More
More
Is there a place for culture in Swiss development aid?
This content was published on
Switzerland is changing its approach to development cooperation. Many are wondering where that leaves projects promoting culture abroad.
“It’s mainly a question of whether we maintain cooperation and, if so, to what extent is cooperation acceptable to us in order to safeguard the progress made over the past ten years while avoiding providing legitimacy to the new regime,” it told the newspapers.
Coup
The Southeast Asian country has been plunged into turmoil after the army took over control in a coup on February 1 and detained elected leaders, with daily protests that United Nations said had killed more than 50 people.
The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the foreign ministry’s agency for international cooperation, says development policyExternal link “encompasses all political, economic and social measures to help improve living conditions in developing countries in a sustainable way”.
Over the past eight years Switzerland has supported Myanmar to the tune of CHF300 million.
More
More
Switzerland calls for end to Myanmar coup
This content was published on
The Swiss foreign ministry has urged Myanmar’s military, which seized power on Monday in a coup, to “immediately suspend its actions”.
Switzerland condemned for deciding to deport gay Iranian
This content was published on
Switzerland violated the prohibition on inhuman treatment by considering that a gay Iranian could be returned to his country.
Gestational diabetes found to increase risk of adult-onset diabetes
This content was published on
A research team from the Lake Geneva region has identified persistent dysfunctions in glucose regulation in women with gestational diabetes. In the long term, this can increase the risk of adult-onset diabetes by up to ten times.
Swiss village must be evacuated by midday on Sunday
This content was published on
The village of Brienz-Brinzauls in eastern Switzerland, which is threatened by a rockfall, must be evacuated by 1pm on Sunday. All residents must leave the village.
This content was published on
A former judge of the Graubünden Administrative Court in eastern Switzerland has been found guilty of rape, sexual harassment and threatening a former trainee.
Costs and care time increase in Swiss retirement and nursing homes
This content was published on
In 2023 the costs of retirement and nursing homes increased by 5% compared to 2022 and those of assistance and care at home by 7%. Together, they amounted to CHF15 billion.
This content was published on
Almost half of the population in Switzerland shows clear to pronounced signs of smartphone addiction, according to a survey.
Swiss healthcare stakeholders want to save CHF300 million
This content was published on
The main players in the Swiss healthcare sector want to save around CHF300 million ($340 million) in healthcare costs a year from 2026.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Switzerland temporarily suspends aid payments to Myanmar
This content was published on
Switzerland has decided to suspend all further payments related to development cooperation in Myanmar following the recent military coup.
This content was published on
Officials at the Geneva-based UN evidence-gathering body for serious crimes in Myanmar are closely watching events in the southeast Asian nation.
This content was published on
Political parties in Myanmar have signed a code of conduct for peaceful elections and a fair election campaign. Switzerland served as the mediator.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.