Switzerland raises CHF6.2 million for Indonesia earthquake tragedy
The Swiss public has donated CHF6.2 million ($6.25 million) to help Indonesia deal with the aftermath of an earthquake and tsunami that has claimed at least 1,571 lives. The disaster hit the Indonesian island of Sulawasi last month.
This content was published on
2 minutes
swissinfo.ch/mga
The funds were raised during a Swiss Solidarity-organised national fundraising day on Friday in collaboration with the business units of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC), swissinfo’s parent company.
Hotlines were set up in the cities of Zurich, Geneva, Lugano and Chur in response to an appeal from the Indonesian government for international assistance. Outgoing Swiss Economics Minister Johann Schneider-Ammann took a stint manning the telephone hotline.
The donations collected by Swiss Solidarity will initially be used to meet the most urgent needs.
The affected populations are in urgent need of food, water, medicine, medical equipment and shelter. Later, as resources permit, Swiss Solidarity partners will help people to recover from the disaster, for example by rehabilitating and rebuilding their homes.
Switzerland is among 11 countries that have sent funds to Indonesia. Other nations include the United States, Britain and Australia. Seven Swiss Solidarity partners are already on the ground: ADRA, Caritas, HEKS, Medair, Save the Children, Solidar, and the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Switzerland sent a second team of five experts and 900 kilograms of aid material to the disaster area on Thursday, the Swiss News Agency reported.
What do you think Switzerland’s Alain Berset can bring to the Council of Europe?
The former interior minister is to become the first Swiss Secretary General of the Council of Europe – which issues should his five-year term focus on?
How is your country dealing with the return of stolen artifacts?
Western nations like Switzerland often have to deal with the process of recovering or returning looted artifacts which have been illegally imported. What’s the situation like in your country?
Swiss cinemas report drop in admissions in first half of 2024
This content was published on
The decline in cinema-goers has continued so far this year. Swiss films and smaller cinemas are holding up better than big US productions and multiplex.
Spread of Japanese beetle leads to lawn-watering bans in Basel
This content was published on
Basel City authorities have extended an infestation zone with strict guidelines to a good third of the canton’s territory.
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
Swiss Broadcasting Corporation helps raise funds for Indonesia
This content was published on
Following the devastating earthquake and tsunami on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, the Indonesian government launched an appeal for help.
Swiss aid experts to leave for quake-hit Indonesia
This content was published on
Switzerland’s offer of humanitarian aid for victims of Indonesia's deadly earthquake and tsunami has been accepted by the Indonesian authorities.
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.