With its Horn of Africa cooperation programme, Switzerland is focusing on good governance, food security, health, migration and the protection of vulnerable communities. Geographically, the regional programme focuses on the Somali context. It covers the semi-arid areas of Ethiopia and Kenya that border Somalia. Emergency aid is provided throughout the region as needed.
Horn of Africa (Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya)
 |
Embassy |
|---|---|
 |
Mission / Delegation / Permanent Representation |
 |
Consulate general |
 |
Honorary representation |
 |
Cooperation office |
 |
Contribution Office |
 |
Embassy with Cooperation Office |
 |
Embassy with Regional consular center |
 |
Swiss Business Hub |
 |
Swissnex |
 |
City |
 |
Capital |
 |
Disputed border |
 |
River |
 |
Lake |
The Horn of Africa is one of the world's most conflict-prone and fragile regions. The region's countries are the countries of origin and host countries for a great number of refugees and internally displaced persons. Factors driving fragility include protracted conflict and violent extremism, weak governance, and poor quality of public services. This is compounded by the increasingly hard-hitting impacts of climate change. At the same time, the Horn of Africa harbours the potential to drive positive developments in the region, including the spread of mobile telecommunications, rapid digital innovation and an agile global diaspora. A generation of young and connected citizens are working more and more closely to create better prospects for the region.
The SDC's Horn of Africa cooperation programme builds on the results that have been achieved in the region and emphasises Switzerland's engagement in fragile contexts. Swiss support covers areas such as the delivery of services and the restoration of trust in state institutions. Switzerland is also tackling the long-term causes of the conflicts and poverty that exacerbate the fragile situation in the Horn of Africa. As part of its cooperation work, Switzerland also supports the efforts of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) as the only regional organisation in the Horn of Africa.
Swiss Bilateral ODA |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 * |
|---|---|---|---|
Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) |
|
|
|
Bilateral development cooperation |
31.28 |
29.95 |
27.50 |
Humanitarian aid |
23.46 |
21.69 |
20.21 |
State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) |
|
|
|
Economic Cooperation and Development |
- |
0.34 |
0.27 |
Peace and Human Rights Division (PHRD) |
|
|
|
Conflict transformation and human rights |
1.05 |
1.02 |
1.07 |
Total SDC/SECO/PHRD |
55.79 |
53.00 |
49.05 |
Other Federal Offices |
|
|
|
Other FDFA Divisions (ASAF, AIO, aso) |
- |
- |
.. |
Network of FDFA representations abroad |
4.11 |
4.98 |
.. |
State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) |
0.95 |
0.04 |
.. |
State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) |
0.15 |
0.09 |
.. |
MeteoSwiss |
- |
- |
- |
Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS) |
- |
- |
- |
Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) |
- |
- |
.. |
Federal Statistical Office (FSO) |
- |
- |
- |
Total other Federal Offices |
5.21 |
5.11 |
- |
Cantons and municipalities |
1.72 |
.. |
.. |
Total |
62.72 |
58.11 |
49.05 |
* planned; total based on available data
.. = figures not available | – = nil or amount < 5'000 CHF
Good governance
Strengthening people's trust in state institutions
Together with the Somali authorities and its multilateral partners, Switzerland supports the efforts of the Somali state, its federal entities and its administrative districts in establishing functioning state structures. It promotes the delivery of public services (water, health, markets, roads and education) at local and district levels thereby furthering citizens' trust in their local state institutions. Local development funds run by communities are considered a successful model for fiscal decentralisation.
Food security
Strengthening the resilience of people living in arid areas
The people in the region's arid areas subsist on agriculture and livestock rearing. They are regularly hit by drought and famine, which also affects their livestock. Switzerland sees its most important contribution to food security in its work to help build up the resilience of pastoral and agro-pastoral communities with the aim of creating more secure livelihoods on the one hand, while at the same time helping to meet people's basic needs in emergency situations. To this end, Switzerland's work also helps boost livestock productivity and agricultural yields by introducing climate-friendly practices.
Health
Promoting access to primary healthcare
Switzerland assists efforts to establish sustainable healthcare systems serving vulnerable communities in Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya by improving the access of pastoral and agro-pastoral communities to human and veterinary healthcare. Beyond this, Switzerland promotes the delivery of healthcare services, focusing in particular on improving maternal and child health. Switzerland is also committed to protecting the victims of gender-based violence.
Migration
Better protecting displaced persons and drawing on development potential
A significant number of migrants transit the Horn of Africa every year. These vulnerable people need special protection. They are refugees, internally displaced persons, asylum seekers, victims of human trafficking and people in search of a better future for themselves and their families. This Swiss cooperation programme comprises efforts to protect these migrants and their host communities and meet their special needs. This Swiss support comes through capacity development, awareness-raising, training of government officials, improved infrastructure and emergency assistance. The long-term goal is to empower displaced people to become self-sufficient. In order to open up longer-term prospects for refugees and internally displaced persons, Switzerland is supporting the authorities in the Horn of Africa in the search for sustainable solutions for displaced persons.
Approach and partners
Switzerland takes gender-mainstreaming measures in accordance with its gender policy and promotes gender equality. It also advocates for systematic accountability in the allocation of public funds. Furthermore, Switzerland takes a holistic approach by combining humanitarian aid, development cooperation, political and diplomatic measures as well as migration and security instruments. It works using a number of modalities and with various partners:
- Swiss NGOs and institutions
- Ministries, provincial, district and local administrations, IGAD (regional and national instruments such as local development funds)
- International and local NGOs and organisations
- Multilateral partners: ICRC, WFP, UNHCR, OCHA, FAO, UNDP, WHO. Switzerland supports these partners with financial contributions or experts from the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit.
- Local private sector
- Other donor countries
Links
Embassy of Switzerland in Kenya
Embassy of Switzerland in Ethiopia
Poverty reduction through conflict and disaster prevention
Health – A prerequisite for development
Gender and women's rights in conflict situations and fragile contexts
Bilateral relations Switzerland–Somalia
Bilateral relations Switzerland–Kenya
Bilateral relations Switzerland–Ethiopia
Documents
Current projects
Selection
Somalia - Support to the Durable Solutions Initiative (DSI)
01.10.2018
- 30.09.2021
In Somalia, more than 2.6 mio people are internally displaced. Switzerland contributes to the provision of durable solutions for these people in the region by enhancing the awareness and the capacity of all relevant humanitarian, development and state-building actors under the leadership of the Somali Government. By addressing the underlying causes of protracted displacement, the affected people are offered the perspective of integration and self-reliance rather than migration.
Reducing Food Losses through Improved Post Harvest Management in Ethiopia
01.07.2018
- 29.02.2024
Ethiopia continues to experience high post-harvest losses around 30% annually due to inappropriate use of technologies and mal-practices. Building up on the success stories and knowledge gained from SDC’s long-term engagement in post-harvest management and lessons learnt from the first phase, the second phase aims at promoting affordable and effective on-farm storage technologies and management practices to reduce post-harvest losses for smallholder farmers in Ethiopia.
Enhancing the Food Security and Liveli-hoods Coping Mechanisms for Conflict Af-fected Communities in Torit & Pageri Admin-istrative Area, Eastern Equatoria State
16.06.2017
- 31.10.2018
Additional contribution to the ICRC Somalia Country Programme: support to Somali Red Crescent Society health strategy
16.06.2017
- 01.08.2018
Community Health Provision in Somalia
15.06.2017
- 30.04.2021
This intervention contributes to improve access of the Somali population to quality, affordable and equitable health services in South Central Somalia and Puntland. In a context of still very low health services coverage, high level of vulnerabilities and protracted conflict, this intervention will ensure the delivery of essential primarily health care services, focusing on women and children, while at the same time contributing to progressively build the health system at both district and regional levels.
Nutrition Emergency Assistance to the Drought Affected Pastoralist Communities in Doolo Zone of Somali National Regional State, VSF-CH, Ethiopia
15.05.2017
- 14.08.2018
The failure of two consecutive rain seasons is having devastating effects on the mostly pastoralist population of Ethiopia’s southern arid and semi-arid areas. The number of people in need is dramatically increasing, with the drought affecting multiple aspects of human life. The Doolo Zone, where pastoralism is the main livelihood, is one of the most severely affected. By supporting VSF-CH, Switzerland will contribute to improve the nutritional status of the affected population.
Improved food security, nutritional status and incomes among vulnerable households in Juba, South Sudan
01.02.2017
- 31.12.2018
In the current context of economic stress and limited supply of food due to disruption of the main supply routes, urban and peri-urban agriculture in and around areas of Juba provides livelihood opportunities for food production and income generation. The deteriorating situation calls for a two-pronged approach of boosting the agricultural production of nutritious commodities and improving access to the most vulnerable groups who may not be able to produce for their own consumption.
SSD IOM: Regional Information and Coordination Mechanisms for South Sudanese Displacement Dynamics
01.02.2017
- 30.08.2018
Continued conflict, food insecurity and a dire economic situation have increased the scale of displacement both within and outside the country to unprecedented levels, with many sheltering in UN POCS or crossing to neighbouring countries. For humanitarians to be able to respond to the needs of these populations, a better understanding of the displacement dynamics and trends must be developed. IOM’s proposed project will help create a better understanding of the displacement dynamics and trends and enable humanitarians to effectively respond to needs of the populations.
Allocation of SDC Funding to WFP Operations in 2017
01.01.2017
- 31.12.2017
In line with the Good Humanitarian Donorship (GHD) principles, Switzerland recognizes the necessity of predictable and flexible funding to respond to changing needs in humanitarian crises. SDC funding to WFP operations allows the World Food Programme (WFP) to respond proactively and to provide immediate food assistance in life-threatening situations.
Contribution 2017 to WFP Refugee Operations in Kenya
01.01.2017
- 31.12.2017
Rational and relevance of the intervention and summary of overall goal: In line with the Good Humanitarian Donorship (GHD) principles, Switzerland recognizes the necessity of predictable and flexible funding to respond to changing needs in humanitarian crises. SDC funding to WFP operations allows the World Food Programme (WFP) to respond proactively and to provide immediate food assistance in life-threatening situations. Amidst funding shortfalls and consequent cuts of food ratios for refugees in Kenya, Switzerland contributes to the food assistance for refugees living in Dadaab and Kakuma camps.
Allocation of SDC Funding to WFP Operations in 2017
01.01.2017
- 31.12.2017
In line with the Good Humanitarian Donorship (GHD) principles, Switzerland recognizes the necessity of predictable and flexible funding to respond to changing needs in humanitarian crises. SDC funding to WFP operations allows the World Food Programme (WFP) to respond proactively and to provide immediate food assistance in life-threatening situations.
WFP Additional Contribution 2017 to Scale Up Operations in South Sudan in Response to the Hunger Emergency
01.01.2017
- 31.12.2017
On 24 February 2017, SDC/HA pledged an additional allocation of CHF 15 million to support emergency relief operations to help populations facing starvation in parts of Africa (South Sudan, Somalia, Nigeria and the larger Lake Chad Region) and Yemen. This decision followed a call issued by the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on 22 February 2017 urging for USD 4.4 billion aid to avert famine for 20 million people who risk starvation in these countries. Out of the CHF 15.0 million, CHF 7 million will be allocated to support WFP’s emergency operations in South Sudan, Nigeria and the larger Lake Chad region, and Yemen.
