Swiss donate three million masks for relief workers in Africa
The need for humanitarian aid in South Sudan was high even before the coronavirus pandemic broke out. More than one million have been displaced and live in refugee camps.
Keystone/Mackenzie Knowles-coursin
The Swiss foreign ministry’s humanitarian aid unit has donated the face masks to support under-resourced relief work in developing countries.
This content was published on
1 minute
swissinfo.ch/urs
Español
es
Suiza dona tres millones de mascarillas para África
The supplies worth CHF1.5 million ($1.63 million) were handed over to the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) on Tuesday, according to the ministryExternal link.
The delivery comes in response to an appeal by the Geneva-based UNHCR and is aimed at helping aid workers and healthcare staff working in difficult conditions?
“Shortages in protective equipment (…) mean that precisely at those times when people are exponentially more dependent on humanitarian aid – like during a global pandemic – it is actually impossible for them to get any assistance,” said Manuel Bessler, head of Swiss Humanitarian Aid.
Consignments are destined for the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan and South Sudan, a statement said.
The Swiss supplies will notably help to boost work in 18 health facilities and hospitals in South Sudan – a conflict-ridden region with more than a million displaced people, according to a senior UNHCR representative.
Earlier this year, the Swiss government pledged CHF400 million in aid to mitigate the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic in developing countries. The Swiss Solidarity organisation also raised CHF40 million for the most vulnerable affected by the virus.
More
More
Demographics
Swiss Solidarity raises CHF40 million for most vulnerable affected by Covid-19
This content was published on
The humanitarian charity Swiss Solidarity is providing emergency assistance to people struggling in Switzerland during the coronavirus pandemic.
This content was published on
The Swiss Senate does not want Switzerland to recognise the state of Palestine at present. On Tuesday it rejected an initiative by canton Geneva calling for this.
UBS economists not expecting a recession in Switzerland
This content was published on
If US tariffs remain at the current level, Swiss GDP growth could be noticeably lower than previously assumed, according to a UBS study. However, a recession is not expected.
This content was published on
On average, employees in Switzerland have received a significant pay rise this year. This is higher than the expected inflation rate, which should leave more money in their wallets at the end of the day.
Wolf thought to have been shot illegally in Graubünden
This content was published on
A wolf suspected of having been killed illegally was found in the southeastern Swiss valley of Poschiavo on Monday. Criminal proceedings are now being initiated.
Principle of non-violent parenting enshrined in Swiss law
This content was published on
Parents must bring up children without the use of violence. This principle is now explicitly enshrined in the Swiss Civil Code.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Switzerland organises humanitarian aid flight to Venezuela
This content was published on
Switzerland has flown nearly 100 tonnes of relief aid, mainly medical supplies, to Venezuela to help fight the coronavirus pandemic.
This content was published on
The joint appeal builds on an earlier one launched on 26 March 2020 and aims to “increase life-saving services and support to address both the immediate impacts of the pandemic and its long-lasting social and economic repercussions”, a statement said on May 28External link. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is working hand in hand…
Swiss development aid re-allocated to combat virus
This content was published on
Aid, in the form of 10,000 protective suits, was delivered to Italy on Thursday, while funding has been allocated for multilateral organisations.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.