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)
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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 | 2022 mill. CHF |
2023 mill. CHF |
2024 * mill. CHF |
---|---|---|---|
Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) | |||
Bilateral development cooperation | 35.34 | 32.52 | 28.00 |
Humanitarian aid | 27.60 | 22.56 | 8.50 |
State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) | |||
Economic Cooperation and Development | 0.27 | 4.61 | 0.14 |
Peace and Human Rights Division (PHRD) | |||
Conflict transformation and human rights | 0.79 | 0.43 | 1.02 |
Total SDC/SECO/PHRD | 64.00 | 60.12 | 37.66 |
Other Federal Offices | |||
Other FDFA Divisions (ASAF, AIO, aso) | 0.03 | - | .. |
Network of FDFA representations abroad | 4.84 | - | .. |
State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) | 0.12 | 0.11 | .. |
State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) | 0.12 | 0.10 | .. |
MeteoSwiss | 0.03 | 0.10 | 0.10 |
Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS) | - | - | - |
Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) | - | - | .. |
Federal Statistical Office (FSO) | - | - | - |
Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) | - | - | - |
State Secretariat for International Finance (SIF) | - | 7.50 | - |
Total other Federal Offices | 5.14 | 0.31 | 0.10 |
Cantons and municipalities | 1.90 | .. | .. |
Total | 71.04 | 60.43 | 37.76 |
Data status at 02.04.2024
* 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
Somali Resilience Programme (SomReP)
01.10.2024
- 31.12.2025
SomReP aims to foster sustainable livelihoods and increase the resilience of (agro-) pastoralist communities to climate shocks across Somalia. By supporting vulnerable communities to better cope with ecological disasters SomRep makes an important contribution to mitigate key drivers of fragility in Somalia and thereby promotes Switzerland’s interest to strengthen stability and economic develop ment in the Horn of Africa region.
Supporting principled and efficient NGO coordination and promoting youth employability through South Sudan NGO Forum
01.08.2024
- 31.07.2025
The project aims to facilitate NGO Forum to effectively support NGO Forum members in the principled delivery of aid assistance to save and improve lives in South Sudan through information sharing, coordination, advocacy and networking, capacity enhancement and representation on behalf of the forum members. The project will also support the NGO Forum to re-initiate internship program for fresh young South Sudanese graduates with NGO members of the Forum to gain work and professional experience with the aim to improve their employment prospects.
Kenya: Empowering refugees and host communities in Dadaab through market-led solutions (EMPOWER)
01.07.2024
- 30.06.2028
The project envisages to unlock the potential of displacement-affected communities (DACs) by providing access to capital, skills development, market opportunities and entrepreneur-friendly policies. The project aims to deliver on long-term economic growth, self-reliance and decreased dependency of DACs on aid. This sustainable approach offers a pathway out of poverty and towards thriving entrepreneurial livelihoods in Kenya.
Provision of CCCM, protection and social cohesion responses to Sudan crisis affected populations in Renk and Manyo Counties, Upper Nile
01.06.2024
- 31.03.2025
To respond to the needs of the growing number of refugees and returnees crossing the border into South Sudan due to the ongoing crisis in the Sudan, both in camp and host community settings. The intervention will improve CCCM, WASH2 and protection in Renk town, in the Transit Center (TC) at Renk and in the Reception Centre (RC) in Joda and Manyo.
Good Financial Governance (GFG)
01.05.2024
- 30.04.2027
The project contributes to strengthen Tanzania’s public financial system, a central element to cement its economic status. The 3rd phase aims at expanding the mobilization of domestic revenue and improving the government’s expenditure control. It shall strengthen interinstitutional mechanisms for tax data exchange, enhance the audit system, and improve public procurement. At policy level, it seeks to develop an evidence-based and gender responsive fiscal strategy for better public service delivery to benefit the population, especially the poor.
Community Health Provision in Somalia (CHASP)
01.05.2024
- 30.04.2027
The programme provides maternal and child health services in Somalia in targeted facilities. It strengthens the capacities of regional and district health authorities including of health personnel working in these facilities. The programme promotes access in terms of basic health services and skilled health personnel at decentralized levels. This is connected to the Swiss interest of promoting service provision and good governance capacities especially at grassroot levels, which also feeds into the transformation/ development agenda of Somalia.
Safeguard Young People (SYP) - Tanzania
01.01.2024
- 31.12.2026
With 62% of its population below 25 years, the Safeguard Young People (SYP) programme supports Tanzania’s demographic dividend. The project advances young people’s sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) through a gender-responsive and inclusive policy environment, empowered youth who make informed decisions, and responsive health and education systems. SYP builds on 10 years of regional experience and UNFPA’s expertise.
2024 Additional allocation to WFP Country Strategic Plans (NHF)
01.01.2024
- 31.12.2024
The war in Sudan entered its second year. Sudan is facing a major humanitarian catastrophe. The conflict also affected neighbouring countries, in particular Chad and South Sudan who are already struggling with a dire humanitarian situation that pre-existed before the conflict broke out. The consequences of the war exacerbated the acute food insecurity situation in those countries. With additional funding, SDC reinforces WFP’s emergency response to deliver life-saving food and nutrition assistance in Sudan, Chad and South Sudan.
Add. Allocation of SDC Funding (Africa Division) in 2024 to ICRC Operations in South Sudan
01.01.2024
- 31.12.2024
SDC funding to ICRC operations allows the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to provide immediate protection and assistance for people affected by armed conflict and other situations of violence. 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.
Support to UNHCR Tanzania
01.12.2023
- 31.12.2024
Tanzania hosts 244’000 refugees, mostly from Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo, the majority living in refugee camps. Dropping out of school is a major concern among children refugees, exposing them to an increased risk of child labour, early marriages and pregnancies. By supporting the cost of their yearly school examination, Switzerland contributes to ensure children refugees’ access to education is maintained, enhancing better long-life perspectives.
Tanzania Social Action Fund (TASAF)
01.10.2023
- 30.09.2025
Switzerland’s contribution to Tanzania Social Action Fund (TASAF) for the implementation of the Productive Social Safety Net Program (PSSN) contributes to the protection of 1.5 milion poor households in Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar through cash transfers, public works and livelihoods enhancement. Also evidence generated through this support will inform and reinforce Swiss engagement in national policy dialogue on social protection, beyond PSSN.
South Sudan, UNFPA: Strengthening Prevention of And Response to Gender based Violence (GBV) in South Sudan
01.09.2023
- 31.08.2026
The proposed funding ensures the continuation of lifesaving GBV prevention and response services, including Clinical Management of Rape (CMR), Psychosocial Support Services (PSS), Legal Aid, Protection, as well as referrals to livelihood opportunities in two (2) established GBV One Stop Centres (OSCs) and a Safe House (SH) in Wau Western Bahr El Ghazal (WBG) and Kuajok, Warrap State. An outreach office and two mobile teams will be established in one remote area for referrals. Existing community based-groups capacities will be further enhanced. UNFPA will pursue advocacy on key policy reforms related to GBV.