Switzerland has been supporting Ukraine's reform efforts since the 1990s. It also works in particular to improve living standards for people, improve public services and promote sustainable economic development.
Switzerland's commitment after 24 February 2022 has a strong humanitarian component. However, this is aligned with the thematic priorities of the previous long-term cooperation programme, which includes the following priorities:
- strengthening democratic institutions
- improving health (improving basic services)
- sustainable urban development (e.g. energy efficiency, sustainable mobility)
- strengthening the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (agricultural SMEs, access to financial services)
This long-term commitment will be continued with the necessary adjustments.
- In the area of development cooperation, for example, a project for the rehabilitation of war trauma victims as well as mental health promotion has been adapted.
- Switzerland has also been committed to digitalisation and decentralisation in Ukraine since 2015. The E-Governance for Accountability and Participation (EGAP) project offers important administrative services digitally, thereby increasing government transparency even during the war, promoting the population’s participation in decision-making processes and reducing corruption.
- In addition, Switzerland promotes equal access to education and the strengthening of local governance. The project, which started in 2022, includes shelter construction in schools and distributing relief goods to internally displaced persons (IDPs) in schools.
- The urban development and mobility projects have also been adjusted to factor in new IDP populations and changing socio-economic circumstances (e.g. barrier-free access to services and transport).
First response: Needs analysis and relief supplies
Today, around half of the Ukrainian population is dependent on humanitarian aid. In an initial phase, the focus was on assessing needs and delivering relief supplies. Immediately after the start of Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) assessed needs in Ukraine, Poland and Moldova and set up hubs to provide concrete support to people affected by the war. Initially, deliveries of relief supplies were coordinated from there.
To date, Swiss Humanitarian Aid has transported over 1,400 tonnes of relief supplies (e.g. medical equipment, generators, fire engines and ambulances) from Switzerland to Ukraine and neighbouring countries and purchased over 4,765 tonnes of essential foodstuffs in Ukraine to support the population.
Winter aid
The targeted attacks on civilian infrastructure in winter 2022 resulted in over 40 per cent of the energy grid being destroyed. There is still no access to drinking water in many places and the power supply and telecommunications are often interrupted. Particularly in view of the harsh winters in Ukraine, at the end of 2022 the Federal Council decided on an action plan totalling CHF 100 million for winter aid. In particular, the federal government has and will continue to support projects for the urgent repair of destroyed civilian infrastructure (e.g. emergency repairs in the energy, road and health sectors). It also took various measures to help people in Ukraine last winter.
Factsheet Winter aid
Support from Swiss experts on site
Since February 2022, more than 70 Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA) specialists have been deployed in Ukraine and Moldova to reinforce Swiss representations in both countries and support humanitarian organisations on the ground (ICRC, UN, NGOs).
For example, following the destruction of the Kakhovka dam, two SHA specialists in engineering and WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) were able to help with short and medium-term solutions to alleviate the effects of the dam's destruction. Switzerland has also supplied urgently needed pipes and pumps, which were purchased locally, to the water network operators upstream of the dam. This means that water supply systems can be operated even when water levels are low. 31 water tanks also procured in Ukraine and water filling racks from Switzerland supply an additional 60,000 people with drinking water.
Financial assistance and multilateral support
In providing financial assistance, Switzerland makes use of instruments of international organisations such as the World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), which have set up funds to pool the contributions of various countries to Ukraine.
As tax revenues in Ukraine have collapsed due to the war, the World Bank’s Peace Fund ensures that Ukraine’s state budget can be maintained and that, among other things, public sector employees – such as teachers and the police – continue to receive a salary. Switzerland supported the fund with CHF 10 million in 2022 and a further CHF 20 million in 2023.
Through the Ukraine Relief, Recovery, Reconstruction and Reform Trust Fund, Switzerland is helping to urgently repair destroyed energy infrastructure with a contribution of CHF 54 million. It has also allocated CHF 10 million to the Energy Community’s Ukraine Energy Support Fund, to provide equipment needed to repair the country’s energy infrastructure for example (where possible via Swiss partners).
Switzerland has also contributed CHF 3 million to a World Bank initiative that is assessing the damage caused by the war and evaluating which repairs need to be prioritised. In this regard, Switzerland is preparing to support an Eastern Europe Energy Efficiency and Environment Partnership (EBRD) fund with over CHF 20 million. This fund will provide grants for the modernisation and restoration of municipal infrastructure in Ukraine, with a focus on energy efficiency.
Through the EBRD, Switzerland’s commitment mainly targets Ukraine’s private sector. The Small Business Impact Fund is helping to improve framework conditions for SMEs. This is done through advisory services, strengthening supply chains, access to financing and the establishment of industrial parks. Through the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Switzerland is supporting a mixed financing instrument with CHF 9.5 million, through which loans can be granted to farmers and other businesses in the agricultural sector. Through the Swiss Investment Fund for Emerging Markets, Switzerland is also investing in the Horizon Capital Growth Fund, which promotes start-ups in the IT and export sectors and through which agricultural businesses continue to have access to loans.
Financial overview
Since February 2022, Switzerland has provided more than CHF 441 million for international cooperation (IC) in Ukraine and neighbouring countries. This involves, for example, the delivery of relief goods, support for health systems, decentralisation, digitalisation, vocational education and training, SMEs, and the strengthening of the agricultural sector. In Ukraine, working with local actors is particularly relevant – the country has a significant number of well-qualified people who have both the networks and the know-how to be able to mount immediate and flexible responses, including enabling humanitarian access to the last few kilometres in the frontline areas which are inaccessible to most international actors for security reasons.
Ukraine (IC)
Ukraine (State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, SECO)
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