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

Object 1 – 12 of 323

Pathfinders for Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies (Sustainable Develoment Goal 16+)

01.01.2024 - 31.12.2030

The promotion of peaceful, just and inclusive societies (SDG16) is integral to the success of the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development. In order to accelerate its implementation, a group of UN Member States are coming together to leveraging intersections within the Agenda (16+) and to accelerate national and international implementation, while building a movement of the willing around three grand challenges. Switzerland is a co-convener, a member and a donor to this initiative.


North Africa Cultural Programme

01.11.2023 - 31.10.2027

Le programme fournit un cadre pour un appui à la Culture comme vecteur d’échanges et de dialogue entre les personnes et les sociétés civiles en Afrique du Nord. Il contribue aux processus de transition politique, à la création d’opportunités de développement économique et à une vision positive de la migration. Il renforce la capacité des peuples d’Afrique du Nord à mettre en valeur leur patrimoine et aux jeunes de la région à exprimer pacifiquement leurs aspiration et leur inventivité.


Tchad - PADS, Appui aux districts sanitaires

01.04.2023 - 31.03.2027

Au Tchad, la faiblesse de la gouvernance du système de santé est une des causes de la situation sanitaire caractérisée par des indicateurs les plus faibles de l’Afrique subsaharienne. L’appui de la Suisse va contribuer à améliorer la qualité des prestations et l’offre des soins de santé dans les districts sanitaires des provinces du Batha et du Moyen Chari ainsi qu’au déploiement de la couverture santé universelle dans certaines provinces.


Réinsertion des détenu.e.s en Algérie

01.04.2023 - 31.12.2026

Le projet « Réinsertion des détenu.e.s en Algérie » contribue à la promotion de la réinsertion des détenu.e.s les plus vulnérables dans le tissu social algérien, dans un but déclaré de renforcer la cohésion sociale, une priorité pour le gouvernement. Le projet propose un accompagnement à la Direction Générale de l’Administration Pénitentiaire et de la Réinsertion (DGAPR) pour la modernisation et l’optimisation de la prise en charge et de la formation des détenu.e.s, dans le but de faciliter leur réinsertion sociale.


PAIE - Programme d’appui aux initiatives dans le secteur de l’élevage et à la cohésion sociale

01.02.2023 - 31.01.2026

La compétition autour de l’exploitation des ressources naturelles cause des tensions intercommunautaires, à risque d’être instrumentalisées par l’extrémisme violent. Le gouvernement du Bénin a initié des réformes pour améliorer la productivité liée à l’élevage et mieux gérer l’espace pastoral. Cette contribution au programme de promotion de l’élevage du GoB vise à renforcer la cohésion sociale par le renforcement des mécanismes de concertation, et à piloter un modèle de gestion spatiale pour une meilleure productivité et une mobilité pastorale réduite. 


Joint Peace Fund

01.01.2023 - 31.12.2027

After 60 years of conflict, the government and 8 Ethnic Armed Groups have signed a National Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) in October 2015, opening up a unique opportunity to find lasting peace. The Joint Peace Fund is a multi-donor fund set up to channel coordinated international support for such efforts, including the implementation of the NCA and following political dialogue of the peace process, a requirement for development especially in border areas.


Financial support to the Programme of Work and Budget of the OECD Development Assistance Committee 2023-2024

01.01.2023 - 31.12.2024

Switzerland’s support to the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) aims at maximizing the impact and effectiveness of international development cooperation towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in developing countries, ensuring that no one is left behind. Through knowledge sharing, joint learning and standards setting, the DAC contributes to enhance the coordination and coherence of international cooperation.


Program Contribution for Fondation Terre des hommes 2023-2024

01.01.2023 - 31.12.2024

The program of the Terre des hommes Foundation (TdhF) aims to sustainably reduce child mortality and morbidity and to secure access to health, sanitation and clean water for mothers and children (0-18 years) in severe poverty. Children in contexts of migration, conflict and disasters, and child victims of violence are better protected. International standards in child-friendly justice are promoted. Humanitarian interventions in fragile contexts, combined with poverty reduction and sustainable development are promoted through innovative work with children and youths.


DEPAC 3 - Programme d’appui à la décentralisation et à la participation citoyenne

01.11.2022 - 31.10.2026

La Suisse promeut la décentralisation au niveau national et appuie les collectivités territoriales de quatre régions du Burkina Faso. Dans un contexte marqué par une insécurité croissante, elle renforce leur capacité à faire face aux urgences, à développer la cohésion sociale et la participation citoyenne et à offrir des services de base de qualité aux populations. Ce programme de type nexus contribue à prévenir l’extrémisme violent et à stabiliser le pays, dans l’intérêt de la Suisse.


Nonviolent Peaceforce: Community-based Protection and Peacebuilding

01.11.2022 - 31.10.2024

The project will contribute to overall peace and security of targeted communities by addressing key civilian safety and security concerns, including child protection, intra-inter-communal violence, SGBV, women’s protection and empowerment, youth participation, community participation and general protection and peacebuilding. Interventions will focus on trust building and inclusion, enhancing capacities of existing community-based protection mechanisms including Women protection Teams and Youth Protection Teams, and Peace Committees, and restoring confidence in peaceful relations at community levels.


UNICEF: Strengthening Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism to prevent and respond to grave violations against children in Yemen

25.10.2022 - 24.10.2024

Accountability for grave child rights’ violations in Yemen will be strengthened through the Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism on Children and Armed Conflict. Support will be provided for the collection, analysis and reporting on grave violations against children and the use of evidence and data for advocacy. Additionally, implementation of the Action plans signed by two parties to the conflict will be supported. 


Citizen Security

01.09.2022 - 30.06.2024

The program supports the Security Ministry and the National Police of Honduras in professionalizing institutional processes with a focus on human rights and gender as well as on community policing. In the Gulf of Fonseca and La Mosquitia, the program consolidates local coordination mechanisms for violence prevention involving justice and security sector actors, local governments and civil society. During the exit phase, the aim is to institutionalize the achieved results.

Object 1 – 12 of 323