Poverty reduction through conflict and disaster prevention

Two children on a cotton transport truck
Cotton production is an important sector of Kyrgyzstan’s economy and one of its key value chains. © SDC

Conflict, violence and human rights violations: these are among the main challenges to combating poverty and fragility in the wider sense. The fragility of a state is characterised by the government’s inability to ensure the security of the population and provide basic public services, alongside its failure to establish mutually constructive relations with the country’s citizens.

More than 40 countries around the globe, home to some 1.5 billion people, are affected by fragile situations or exposed to violence or conflict. By 2030, more than 80% of the world’s poorest could be living in fragile contexts unless more concerted action is taken now.

Fragility poses a major threat to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Addressing fragility will require greater acceptance of all its nuances by tailoring differentiated approaches to specific contexts and working across the full spectrum of issues, some of which are inherently difficult and sensitive.

Engagement in fragile contexts

Switzerland is stepping up its efforts to prevent and manage the consequences of crises, disasters and fragility. It intends to allocate 50% of its bilateral aid to conflict-affected or fragile contexts.

The SDC’s action in fragile contexts

Switzerland is committed to promoting peaceful, just and inclusive societies. It works directly to ensure that no one is left behind.

Characteristics of fragile contexts

Fragile states and regions are characterised by weak institutions, high rates of poverty, violence, corruption and general arbitrariness. Fragility manifests itself in both development and transition contexts as well as humanitarian crises.

Promoting peaceful and inclusive societies

Focus on SDG 16+ to promote peaceful, equitable and inclusive societies for a sustainable development and to combat conflict.

Preventing conflict and all forms of violence

In preventing violent conflict, the aim is to stop previous conflicts from flaring up again and new conflicts from forming. The task is not simply to prevent crises but also to address the root causes.

Documents

Current projects

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FSD Mine and UXO clearance in Kharkiv and Kherson Oblasts (MUCKKO)

01.12.2024 - 31.08.2027

This phase 02 of the project of Fondation suisse de déminage (FSD) deploys the full range of mine action activities, to identify the threat of contamination, clear unexploded ordnance and mines, and educate the population to the risks. It resorts to Swiss innovation, mechanical demining machines and dogs. It builds on phase 01, gaining scale in both Kharkiv and Kherson regions and adding a strong component of building local capacity through mentorship of a Ukrainian NGO.


Nigeria, UNICEF, Improved access to quality reintegration services for children and women formerly associated with non-state armed groups in Northeast Nigeria.

01.11.2024 - 31.10.2026

Thousands of children and women have exited areas controlled by non-state armed groups in Northeast Nigeria since 2021. The project provides temporary shelter and basic services and  longer-term socio-economic reintegration to this group of civilians and other vulnerable individuals through a package of  multisectoral  assistance.  The  successful  and  sustainable  reintegration  of  these  individuals  is instrumental towards peacebuilding and complements ongoing Swiss work on peace and security.


E-Governance for Accountability and Participation (EGAP), Phase 3

01.10.2024 - 30.09.2028

Digital transformation of Ukraine’s public administration significantly contributed to its resilience in the critical war conditions. Switzerland will consolidate its support to Ukraine in promoting innovative digital tools as amplifiers of democratic reforms in socially important sectors, catalysts of sustainable recovery and effective service provision to citizens and the private sector.


Enhancing access to safe land in Kharkiv region through mechanical clearance

01.10.2024 - 30.09.2027

This project led by the Mines Advisory Group (MAG) in partnership with the machine producer Digger enhances efficiency to prepare suspected land of explosive ordnance contamination for survey and clearance. It focuses on small farmers in the Kharkiv oblast (with the highest number of victims) within the WFP/FAO programme. It also promotes gender participation in mine action, with a 100% female multi-task team conducting operations, including with the Digger machine. 


Partnership Fund for a Resilient Ukraine 2 (PFRU-2)

01.08.2024 - 31.12.2027

The Partnership Fund for a Resilient Ukraine (PFRU) unites eight development partners (UK, US, Canada, Sweden, Switzerland, Finland, Estonia and the Netherlands) and the Government of Ukraine to strengthen communities and government legitimacy through improved services, economic recovery and strengthened civil society. With its contribution, Switzerland can shape the development and deployment of an innovative multi-donor financing instrument in Ukraine to support its resilience and early recovery.


Participation citoyenne et prévention des conflits au Burundi (PCPC)

01.08.2024 - 31.12.2026

Au Burundi, le système politique ne permet pas un espace suffisant pour la participation citoyenne inclusive, la redevabilité et le respect des droits humains, ce qui rend difficile la prévention et la gestion des conflits. Par cette intervention la Suisse contribue à l’instauration progressive de pratiques démocratiques promouvant un environnement favorable à la participation citoyenne et l’opérationnalisation des mécanismes de gestion des conflits au niveau communautaire, ce qui a un impact positif sur la consolidation/capitalisation de la paix et la cohésion sociale.


Programme de Participation citoyenne et Prévention des conflits (PCPC)

01.08.2024 - 31.12.2026

L’Est de la RDC est confronté, depuis plus de deux décennies, à une situation d’insécurité avec une dégradation des droits de l’homme, de la cohésion sociale et de la situation humanitaire. Par ce programme, la Suisse entend contribuer à la promotion de la paix et le respect des droits humains en renforçant les capacités institutionnelles des entités territoriales décentralisées (ETD) et des structures locales de règlement des conflits et en favorisant la collaboration entre les institutions étatiques locales et les acteurs clés de la société civile.


Ukraine, Global Clearance Solutions GCS mechanical demining assets, training and mentoring for State Emergency Services Ukraine SESU

01.08.2024 - 31.07.2027

This project with the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SESU) and Global Clearance Solutions (GCS) seeks to strengthen the mechanical demining capacities and capabilities of SESU to enable them to carry out qualitative humanitarian demining. These needs shall be met by delivering a comprehensive package consisting of the donation of three mechanical demining machines GCS-200 and the delivery of expansive training, mentoring and logistics services.


REMARKET - Recovery and Empowerment through Market Access and Resilient Economic Transformation in Ukraine

01.08.2024 - 31.07.2027

After having supported Caritas with humanitarian emergency response programmes providing multi-sectorial cash assistance (MPCA) to vulnerable Internally displaced persons (IDPs) and conflict-affected population, Switzerland wishes to support its transition toward longer-term income generation, economic development, and social resilience. This second phase aims to strengthen Ukrainian communities and businesses by enhancing market access and fostering economic empowerment for IDPs, returnees, and host communities. It seeks to address immediate needs of vulnerable groups while fostering sustainable economic inclusion.


Social Cohesion and Peace Initiative, Phase 1

15.07.2024 - 31.12.2025

Social cohesion in Moldova is weak, with low levels of intergroup contact and civic engagement. Divisions run largely along political lines and have deepened since the Russian aggression against Ukraine. Fostering constructive dialogue is essential for building social cohesion and resilience. The project aims at creating opportunities for young and elderly people to become more active in community processes, while addressing dividing lines within the Moldovan society and paving the way for inclusive nation-building and sustainable peace.


Single-phase project: Enhancing Peace and Economic Prosperity through Women's Leadership and Inclusion (Women for Peace & Prosperity)

01.07.2024 - 30.06.2028

In line with the priorities of the Governments of Moldova and Switzerland, the project aims to socially and economically empower women, including refugee women from Ukraine, increase their participation in decision-making and the workforce, promote their entrepreneurial activities, and finally contribute to a just, equal, inclusive and resilient society and economy in Moldova. The project will promote gender-responsive policies and initiatives to address key barriers to women's socio-economic inclusion.


Projet Réponse d’urgence à base communautaire à la menace des engins explosifs dans les régions de Mopti et Tombouctou (PRUCEE-MT)

01.07.2024 - 31.08.2025

Avec le retrait de la Mission multidimensionnelle intégrée des Nations Unies (MINUSMA) pour la stabilisation au Mali et de l’agence de la lutte antimines (UNMAS), les populations de Mopti et Tombouctou sont sans protection contre les engins explosifs. La Suisse renforce ainsi son engagement humanitaire, en partenariat avec d’autres bailleurs internationaux, pour combler ce vide. Elle offre une réponse d’urgence à base communautaire pour protéger les populations civiles et gérer les victimes.

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