Partners of the humanitarian aid

Swiss humanitarian aid can only fulfill its mandate together with partners. It moves along the lines of the international aid system, observes its rules and, based on its own experiences, is internationally active in creating learning processes and strategies. It also supports its partners in this process, helping them to perform their tasks effectively.

Coordination within the Swiss federal administration turns humanitarian aid into an active partnership, particularly with actors from the peace movement and from the political areas of safety, migration, human rights, the environment and economic policy. It integrates its experiences in order to form a comprehensive policy on these topics and shapes the SDC's multilateral strategy with.

Partnerships for Humanitarian Actions
Humanitarian aid works together with United Nations organizations, national actors, international organizations, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (primarily the International Committee of the Red Cross ICRC), Swiss relief organizations as well as international and national nongovernmental organizations.

Alliances
In specific situations Swiss humanitarian aid forms ad hoc alliances with other countries and organizations. By doing so it guarantees the effectiveness of its actions, promotes international aid efforts and strengthens the possibility of giving victims a voice by standing up for them legally.

Cooperation with Public and Private Institutions
The complexity of themes facing humanitarian aid requires close cooperation with all circles which can offer trial solutions. Large potential is available in public institutions (e.g. universities and hospitals) and private industry organizations which should be increasingly included in aid efforts through dialogue, partnership and complementary actions.

Civil-Military Cooperation
Most humanitarian actions are carried out by civilian institutions. Military aid is used in a supporting role when civilian capacity does not suffice (subsidiarity). Cooperation should be predefined and mutually planned whenever possible, but the management and responsibility for humanitarian actions always remains in civilian hands.

Under the heading International Institutions you will find detailed information on the humanitarian partners in multilateral development cooperation and, in particular, the following international organisation:

UN-Organizations

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs OCHA
World Food Programme WFP
<>UN High Commissioner for Refugees UNHCR
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)
UN Children's Fund UNICEF
World Health Organization WHO
International Organization for Migration IOM

International Network

ALNAP - The Active Learning Network für Accountability and Performance in Humanitarian Action

Red Cross Organizations

International Committee of the Red Cross ICRC
Swiss Red Cross SRC
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies IFRC

Swiss Nongovernmental Organizations

Caritas
Terre des Hommes
Swiss Protestant Relief Agency HEKS
Medici Senza Frontiere Svizzere (MSF)
Medair
Salvation Army Switzerland