The four strategical areas

Prevention, emergency aid, reconstruction and advocacy are the four most important scopes of duties in which humanitarian aid is active. All humanitarian aid actions and programs take into account environmental aspects, gender-related social questions, human rights and government leadership. They include medium- and long-term considerations and work is coordinated with other measures such as development cooperation.

Prevent and Prepare
Prevention means saving human lives and reducing risks. It includes the early recognition of risks, anticipating and reducing the effects of disasters and limiting the damage. Prevention is gaining significance when it comes to natural disasters. Depending on the situation, preventive measures are carried out in cooperation with Swiss universities, specialized institutes and international programs. Prevention projects make it possible for people who live in endangered areas to be evacuated in time - for example, from areas surrounding volcanos prior to a possible outbreak.

The most important tasks are to:

support local crisis defense mechanisms
prevent or prepare for natural disasters by making risk inventories, observing risk areas and establishing early warning systems
supporting civil risk management capacities
make contributions to help avoid conflicts and support the search for solutions
strengthen international coordination of help efforts

Emergency Aid
Emergency Aid (immediate survival assistance) means saving lives and covering the basic needs of victims. Any damage is repaired as quickly as possible and additional immediate steps are taken to help victims survive. To rescue victims buried in the rubble caused by earthquakes the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA) can also call in the Swiss Rescue Chain as a special instrument to provide immediate help. The Swiss Rescue is ready for deployment within a few hours and can operate autonomously up to seven days. Providing drinking water, delivering and distributing food and aid supplies such as clothes, blankets, etc., supplying and building shelters as well as providing the stricken population with any required medical support are decisive factors for survival in disasters.

The most important tasks are to:

determine needs and assess emergency situations
ensure the supply of drinking water and food
provide temporary shelters
provide emergency medical care
look after refugees, exiles and homeless persons
strengthen international coordination of help efforts

Reconstruction
Reconstruction allows people to take the first steps towards a safer future. Over the past few years reconstruction help for refugees, and those who return to their native country from Switzerland, has continually become more important. Humanitarian aid helps returnees reintegrate and provides structural help for those who stayed behind. Social nets as well as social and economic foundations are reinforced.

The most important tasks include:

rebuilding the basic infrastructure
providing living space
promoting education
creating incentives for self-initiative and responsibility
establishing and maintaining the general conditions which allow the respective population to function
strengthing international coordination of help efforts

Advocacy
Advocacy strengthens the responsibility and obligation towards the victims. This means: Protection through presence and testimony. Furthermore, it means creating international sensibility to victims' concerns.

The most important tasks are to:

intervee on behalf of all victims, especially in conflicts "forgotten" by the world public
support the commitment to humanitarian principles
inform the world of the victims' situation and foster understanding for the search for solutions
strengthen international coordination of help efforts

Additional Information and Documents

The Humanitarian Aid of the Swiss Confederation …
… saves lives – alleviates suffering
Download (PDF, 682 KB) : [de] [en] [fr]
Concept d’engagement 2009–2014 de l’Aide humanitairede la Confédération (AH)
et du Corps suisse d’aidehumanitaire (CSA)
Download (PDF, 1096 KB) : [de] [fr]
Advocacy
Emergency aid and reconstruction
Food aid