Deputy Head of the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit in Ukraine
[ topic ]
Protection
The outbreak of the full-scale Russian military aggression against Ukraine on 24 February 2022 marked a major escalation in the country, where fighting in eastern regions had caused large displacement since 2014. With the onset of the full-scale aggression, Ukraine has been witnessing the targeting of civilian infrastructure, protracted displacement, and persistent aerial attacks resulting in civilian casualties. It all has led to serious humanitarian challenges; widespread humanitarian needs and protection concerns. Millions of people lack access to essential services. An estimated 14.6 million people require humanitarian assistance across Ukraine as of 2024, according to the UN. More than 6.7 million people became refugees and 4.6 million people remain displaced across the country.
Since 2022, Swiss Humanitarian Aid has been increasing its presence in Ukraine to address urgent humanitarian needs of the local population. As of December 2024, a core team of 13 staff operating from Kyiv is engaged in protection of the most vulnerable, demining, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), health and psychosocial support among others. The team engages in direct action and collaborates with local civil society organizations, international humanitarian organizations, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, and other on-the-ground partners through grants, in-kind assistance, and capacity-building initiatives.
In total, I worked in Ukraine for six years, and have been based in Kyiv since November 2020, initially with the United Nations and later with the Embassy of Switzerland in Ukraine. Over time, I built deep connections with the country and heard countless stories from the most affected people – adults and children with disabilities, elderly, displaced and evacuees. Their resilience and courage have reinforced my commitment to this mission. I know exactly why I am doing this work and the value that it brings.
The initial weeks following the onset of the full-scale Russian military aggression against Ukraine in February 2022 were among the most emotional and challenging periods of my life. Amidst the chaos, our immediate focus was survival, followed by setting up an effective humanitarian response. Establishing and coordinating a humanitarian system in the country previously unprepared for such a crisis was our biggest challenge. I am very proud of the exemplary work Switzerland has undertaken in Ukraine. It can be a model for humanitarian efforts in other crises.
I know exactly why I am doing this work and the value that it brings.
Over the past three years, Switzerland’s humanitarian response in Ukraine has evolved significantly. It shifted from western to frontline communities, increasing in both the scale of operations and support to local organizations. This response is one of the largest in Switzerland’s humanitarian history and, hopefully, in future will be remembered as one of the most innovative and impactful.
My personal aspiration was to empower local organizations. Switzerland has already supported hundreds of civil society organizations in Ukraine who do valuable but also very dangerous work. We pioneered a life and accident insurance programme for humanitarian volunteers in the country. To date, 3,000 volunteers have insurance coverage, with numbers expected to double in the coming years. My hope is that this initiative will be replicated in other humanitarian responses.
This response is one of the largest in Switzerland’s humanitarian history.
Switzerland is a unique donor in Ukraine. First, its neutrality enables credible advocacy on issues such as localization and humanitarian access. Second, Switzerland’s physical presence in frontline regions surpasses that of many other donors. Third, Switzerland’s flexibility and responsiveness enhances its impact, due to a diverse range of modalities such as direct action.
Lastly, I must commend the extraordinary solidarity, unity, and resilience demonstrated by Ukrainians. I will never forget how amidst the adversities of 24 February 2022, I witnessed simple acts of kindness, defiance and determination, such as street cleaners going on about their work, shop-keepers continuing to serve customers, and people going out of their way to help and support each other. The resilience and commitment of Ukrainians to look forward, and rebuild their country on a daily basis, at all levels of society, is profoundly inspiring.
after
24 feb
2022
What else is Switzerland doing for Ukraine?
Switzerland has been assisting those impacted through various means – from humanitarian aid, humanitarian demining and financial support to granting protection status S to individuals from Ukraine seeking refuge. By 15 February 2024, the Swiss federal government had spent a total of around 3 billion Swiss francs to support Ukrainian refugees in Switzerland and people in Ukraine.
In 2022, Switzerland organised the first Ukraine Recovery Conference in Lugano and launched the political process to help Ukraine rebuild. The Summit on Peace in Ukraine, held in Switzerland in 2024, set up a path towards a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. In the longer term, the Federal Council aims to allocate 1.5 billion Swiss francs to support Ukraine's recovery efforts by 2028.
