News

Representatives of seven Swiss organisations today staged a protest on the Bundesplatz (Federal Square) in Berne against the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV). The UPOV system criminalises farmers around the world for reusing their seeds. Switzerland requires its trading partners to implement UPOV rules under their trade agreements. This untenable practice is to be ended by an initiative in Parliament.

Exactly two years after the vote on the Responsible Business Initiative, the initiators submit an impressive petition. Now that the EU is bringing in robust legislation on corporate accountability, the Federal Council should honour the promise it made during the referendum campaign.

East Africa is experiencing its worst drought in 40 years. As a result, 36 million people now depend urgently on humanitarian aid, in the absence of which, the famine is likely to grow more acute. Swiss Church Aid (HEKS/EPER) is assisting people being impacted by drought and hunger in the Horn of Africa, especially in Ethiopia, and plans to scale up its aid there. In view of the National Day of Solidarity organized by "Swiss Solidarity" for 23 November, HEKS/EPER is supporting the appeal to the Swiss public for donations to help suffering people in East Africa.

Climate change is advancing ever more rapidly and unleashing its destructive consequences, especially for people in the countries of the Global South. The UN Climate Change Conference (COP27), beginning on Sunday in Sharm el-Sheik, could be the last chance to turn the tide. The inhabitants of Pari island have already taken action: they are demanding climate justice and have thus initiated legal proceedings against the Swiss cement corporation Holcim.

In Ukraine, HEKS/EPER is currently supporting the neediest people  in the immediate vicinity of the front line by distributing cash and relief supplies to cover daily needs – especially in view of the coming cold winter. In addition, HEKS/EPER is also supporting Ukrainians who have fled to Romania, Hungary and Moldova and assisting with measures to facilitate their integration in these countries. 

Climate change is causing sea levels to rise, destroying the livelihoods of the people on the Indonesian island Pari. The Swiss cement company Holcim bears a significant amount of responsibility for this because of its tremendously high CO₂ emissions. Four residents are now demanding justice on behalf of the island and have taken legal action against Holcim in Switzerland.

HEKS/EPER and Swiss-based impact investment firm iGravity have officially launched the Rural Livelihoods Investment Window, a private debt facility that provides financing and business support to enterprises in Sub-Saharan Africa to promote sustainable employment and income opportunities to communities in rural areas. The focus of the initial phase is on Uganda and Senegal.

Thanks to the great generosity and willingness of the Swiss people to donate, and to the support of partners in Switzerland and abroad, HEKS/EPER can now increase its Ukraine emergency aid to 10 million francs. HEKS/EPER is providing humanitarian aid for war victims in Ukraine, near to frontline areas in Donbass, in Transcarpathia, in Kyiv, and in neighbouring countries. HEKS/EPER is also supporting Ukrainian refugees in Switzerland.

Organizationally, the most salient feature of the past year for HEKS/EPER and Bread for All was the merger of the two aid agencies. The first joint annual financial statements as of end-2021 closed with income of 98.8 million francs and a good operating result of 9.6 million francs. 

Despite all the urgent pleas from the international community, Russia continues its invasion of Ukraine undeterred. The worst fears have come true, as the civilian population is now being targeted in this atrocious war. Thousands are having to hide in bunkers, and two million people have already fled to neighbouring countries.