Switzerland provides aid to drought-hit Madagascar
The money will go towards providing food, water and sanitation as the south of the country faces a humanitarian crisis due to poor rainfall.
This content was published on
1 minute
swissinfo.ch/ac
Of the CHF1 million ($1.1 million) in aid provided by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), half will go to the United Nations World Food Programme. The other half will go to the SDC-run relief organisation Swiss Humanitarian Aid that will focus on meeting water and sanitation needs.
“The SDC and the Swiss embassy on the ground will continue to monitor the situation and take further relief measures as needed,” said an official statement released on Tuesday.
More than one million people in southern Madagascar are suffering from food scarcity due to a failure of the rains. It is the worst drought the country has faced in a decade. A lack of jobs due to Covid-19 restrictions has increased the precarity of the people.
It is estimated that a third of the population in these regions will become dependent on humanitarian aid by May. The worsening situation has forced the authorities in Madagascar to launch an appeal for international aid.
Swiss unions call for CHF5,000 monthly salary for qualified apprentices
This content was published on
All workers who have completed an apprenticeship must earn at least CHF5,000 per month, the Swiss Trade Union Federation said on Friday.
Flooding risks in parts of Switzerland and Germany after heavy rains
This content was published on
There is a significant risk of flooding on the River Rhine from Lake Constance to Basel and on the Thur River in canton Thurgau in eastern Switzerland.
Switzerland to intensify border checks during sporting events
This content was published on
In the context of events including the European Football Championships and the summer Olympics, border security will be increased.
Integration of Credit Suisse into UBS now complete
This content was published on
Credit Suisse AG was formally integrated into UBS AG on Friday, with the former being subsequently deleted from Canton Zurich's commercial register.
This content was published on
The list of cities in the running as well as the requirements they need to meet have not been disclosed. A decision is to be made by the end of August.
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
Fifty years of Madagascar aid reaches end
This content was published on
With the end of the SAHA rural development programme set for December 31, 2012, the challenge will be to ensure the continuing durability of activities initiated by the Swiss when financial support is reduced to around SFr1.5 million ($1.85 million) a year. “Officially, we’re leaving at the end of 2012, but we hope to keep…
This content was published on
International donors pulled out of the country following a coup in 2009 and health and education services have suffered. Organisations like the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) have stepped in to address the urgent needs in sexual, reproductive and maternal health. Today, three-quarters of the population live on under $1 per day. Women continue to…
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.