Swiss Solidarity
Together with SRG SSR, it mobilises the population and collects donations in the event of major natural disasters and conflicts, as well as for children's aid and for vulnerable people in Switzerland.
It was launched in 1946, when Europe was scarred by the Second World War, by radio producer Roger Nordmann and entertainer Jack Rollan.
With their first appeal on 26 September 1946, they wanted to help war-wounded children; in Switzerland, many people lived in poverty in the post-war period.
The show's signature song was "La Gavotte", its refrain was: "Y'a du bonheur pour tout le monde!"
In addition to the three Swiss radio stations, media from Paris, Trieste, Vienna, Monte Carlo and Baden-Baden also participated in the project.
Hundreds of Thousands of people were killed or injured through the catastrophe and over 1.7 million coastal residents around the Indian Ocean were left homeless.
2008 - Swiss Solidarity founded the Emergency Appeals Alliance (EAA) with nine organisations with similar structures and activities from Austria, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
2020 - In response to the pandemic that has completely turned the world upside down, Swiss Solidarity launches a fundraising campaign.
2022 - In March 2022, the Swiss people once again showed their solidarity - 130 million were collected for the victims of the war in Ukraine.
Swiss Solidarity benefits from the special support and media coverage of public radio and television.
Swiss Solidarity also appeals for donations for victims of wars and conflicts and is committed to the well-being of children.
A Committee of the Foundation Board with five representatives supervises and monitors the management of the Swiss Solidarity Directorate and supports it in its activities.
The commission is made up of independent humanitarian aid experts, representatives of partner relief organisations and Swiss Solidarity management.
They cover all relevant areas of expertise such as health, construction, water and sanitation, child protection and economics.
Swiss Solidarity itself does not act operationally, but cooperates with 25 organisations abroad: Adventist Development and Disaster Aid (ADRA), Médecins Sans Frontières Switzerland (MSF), Brücke/Le Pont, Caritas Switzerland, CBM Christoffel Blindenmission, Christian Peace Service (CDF), Enfants du Monde (EDM), Fondation Hirondelle, Helvetas, Hilfswerk der Evangelischen Kirchen der Schweiz (HEKS), Medair, Iamaneh Switzerland, Médecins du Monde, Save the Children, Swiss Red Cross (SRC), Solidarmed, Solidar Suisse, SOS Children's Villages Switzerland, Pestalozzi Children's Foundation, Swissaid, Terre des hommes - Kinderhilfe weltweit, Terre des Hommes Schweiz,Terre des Hommes Suisse, Vétérinaires Suisse (VSF-Suisse) and Vivamos Mejor.
