Intro
50 years of humanitarian aid
DE FR IT
"We would not be human beings if we had just stood there with our arms folded"
Arthur Bill, first delegate for humanitarian aid, June 1973.
For half a century, the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA) has been the embodiment of Switzerland's solidarity in dire situations abroad. For 50 years, it has been implementing its universal mandate to save lives and alleviate suffering. Find out how the SHA has evolved and adapted its responses to the demands of the times.
"We would not be human beings if we had just stood there with our arms folded"
Arthur Bill, first delegate for humanitarian aid, June 1973.
For half a century, the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA) has been the embodiment of Switzerland's solidarity in dire situations abroad. For 50 years, it has been implementing its universal mandate to save lives and alleviate suffering. Find out how the SHA has evolved and adapted its responses to the demands of the times.
1973–1982
1983–1992
1993–2002
2003–2012
2013–2023
1973: founding of the SHA
The formation of a disaster
relief corps had been discussed in public and political spheres for quite some
time. After the Federal Council submitted a report on the formation of the
corps to the Federal Assembly, Arthur Bill took office as delegate of the
voluntary disaster relief corps on 1 September 1972. After a period of
preparation and planning, recruitment of volunteers began in May 1973. The idea
sparked a great deal of interest: 4,000 people signed up to join. Around 1,000
volunteers were accepted (86% men, 14% women, 82% German-speaking, 12%
French-speaking, 6% Italian-speaking). May 1973 is considered to be the
founding month of the corps – known from 2001 as the Swiss Humanitarian Aid
Unit (SHA).
1984–85: large-scale operation during Sahel drought in Mauritania
Around 30 SHA members took
part in a large-scale operation in an area the size of Switzerland. Medical,
logistical and other staff treated all infants suffering from malnutrition in
24 centres, enabling them to survive – in temperatures that did not drop below
40 degrees Celsius even at night.
1990s: new international standards to protect people
In the 1990s, conflicts
were the catalyst for international efforts to settle hostilities, negotiate
peace agreements and create international norms. The crises in Rwanda and
Bosnia, for example, provided the impetus for new international norms, the
creation of the International Criminal Court and greater international
engagement in fragile contexts.
2003: humanitarian-military coordination and cooperation
Switzerland,
together with OCHA and other states and organisations, contributed to the
establishment of the Guidelines on the use of military and civil defence assets
to support United Nations humanitarian activities in complex emergencies
(MCDA Guidelines). The document provides guidelines for the use of
international military and civil protection assets, that is, personnel,
equipment, supplies, services to support the UN in meeting humanitarian
objectives in conflicts and other complex emergencies. Switzerland has worked
for years to disseminate and implement the guidelines nationally, regionally
and globally.
2014: the Ebola epidemic in West Africa
The Ebola outbreak was
first detected in March 2014 in south-eastern Guinea and then spread to Sierra
Leone and Liberia, propagating faster than all other outbreaks of Ebola in
Africa to date. Deployed as reinforcements, SHA members supported the SDC's
humanitarian office in Liberia to implement aid in three areas: containing the
epidemic through treatment and prevention measures; strengthening the health
systems of the countries concerned; and mitigating the socio-economic
consequences of the epidemic. These three priorities were confirmed by a joint
mission of the SHA and the Geneva University Hospitals (HUG) to Liberia. In
addition, Swiss Humanitarian Aid sent 30 tonnes of protective equipment and
supported international efforts to combat the Ebola epidemic with CHF 32
million.
1973: partnerships initiated
In April 1973, the
delegate for humanitarian aid at the time, Arthur Bill, established
partnerships with the Swiss Red Cross and the International Committee of the
Red Cross (ICRC). These organisations were able to call on SHA members to
support their operations. Joint training courses were organised, especially in
the medical field. Similar collaborations were established later with Swiss aid
organisations such as Caritas and HEKS. A formal agreement was also reached
with the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport for the use
of military transport and other equipment on humanitarian missions.
1984–85: refugee crisis in Sudan
Due to drought and civil
war, well over a million people fled from Ethiopia and Chad to Sudan. 63 SHA
members built, among other things, a refugee camp for 20,000 people, a
pedestrian suspension bridge and a transport cableway.
Since 1994: emergency aid and reconstruction in Rwanda
Between half a million and
a million people were killed during the genocide in Rwanda. SHA members
initially provided emergency aid (medicines, food aid, refugee camps) in Rwanda
and the surrounding countries where there were large numbers of refugees. Reconstruction
measures followed, especially in the sectors of health (training of medical
staff), construction (infrastructure, housing) and agriculture (seed projects).
With the mass return of over one million refugees at the end of 1996, emergency
aid had to be provided again; in the course of 1997, this was gradually
replaced by reconstruction. Between 1994 and early 1998, a total of 181 SHA
members were deployed in the region.
2004: short- and long-term aid after submarine earthquake and tsunami in South Asia
On 26 December 2004, a
9.3-magnitude earthquake triggered a major tsunami in the Bay of Bengal. Entire
towns were destroyed, from Indonesia to Somalia. In total, 13 countries were
affected. More than 225,000 people lost their lives and millions were left
homeless. Swiss Humanitarian Aid deployed 48 SHA members to Sri Lanka,
Indonesia and Thailand. The operation included the installation of temporary
shelters and drinking water systems, medical assistance and the supply of
medicines and humanitarian logistics for the distribution of aid.
In the spring of 2005, Swiss Humanitarian Aid began a second phase with the rehabilitation and reconstruction of infrastructure such as the large water treatment plant in the city of Banda Aceh in Indonesia. In coordination with national and local authorities, it rehabilitated numerous schools and settlements in Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Thailand until 2007. Switzerland committed a total of CHF 35 million to emergency operations and rehabilitation programmes.
In the spring of 2005, Swiss Humanitarian Aid began a second phase with the rehabilitation and reconstruction of infrastructure such as the large water treatment plant in the city of Banda Aceh in Indonesia. In coordination with national and local authorities, it rehabilitated numerous schools and settlements in Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Thailand until 2007. Switzerland committed a total of CHF 35 million to emergency operations and rehabilitation programmes.
2015: earthquake in Nepal
On 25 April 2015, a
7.8-magnitude earthquake scale struck Nepal, followed by strong aftershocks.
The epicentre was located 80 km north-west of Kathmandu. More than 70 SHA
specialists were deployed during the emergency phase. Swiss Humanitarian Aid
delivered more than 200 tonnes of relief supplies for more than 40,000 families
in seven districts. Specialists from the SHA distributed 50 chlorine production
units for safe drinking water and to reduce the risk of disease. A mother and
child module was set up by the SHA in Gorkha district hospital, providing care
for more than 3,000 patients for one month. In a second phase, the SDC
supported medium and long-term reconstruction efforts with CHF 25 million.
1974–75: first major operation in Lake Chad region
In autumn 1974, after two
years of building up capacity, the SHA went into action for the first time. In
a large-scale operation to help the drought-affected population in the Lake
Chad region, 99 trained volunteers from each of the SHA's expert groups were
deployed around the Lake Chad basin with material, vehicles and two light
aircraft. The volunteers built a river ferry, five warehouses and three health
posts and distributed several hundred tonnes of food and medicines. The
operation lasted until the end of February 1975.
1988: Swiss Rescue saves 25 lives in Armenia
A magnitude 7.0
earthquake claimed 25 000 lives in Armenia. During a four-day operation in
Spitak, a Swiss Rescue team of 37 people and 20 dogs managed to save 25 lives.
The head of operations was Charles Raedersdorf, who had only been in post as
delegate for humanitarian aid for one month. As a follow-up to the Swiss Rescue
operation, an emergency hospital and SHA emergency shelters were set up. As
part of the reconstruction, Switzerland built 167 homes.
Since 1996: rehabilitation of war-damaged infrastructure in Angola
In the southern highland
region around Huambo, 20 SHA members managed the rehabilitation of 140 km of
roads and several war-damaged bridges. In addition, school buildings were built
and local professionals were trained in bridge construction.
2003: Darfur conflict
In Sudan, the people
of the Darfur region were facing a severe humanitarian crisis. About 800,000
people – half the population of Darfur – were forced to flee because of the
violence. Many fled to Chad. A dozen SHA specialists were seconded to UN
agencies, notably the World Food Programme (WFP). At the end of August 2004,
the WFP was able to establish a humanitarian corridor through Libya to deliver
food to Darfur refugees in a camp in eastern Chad. These convoys included 450
tonnes of grain funded by SDC contributions to the WFP. In 2004, Switzerland
provided more than CHF 16 million of assistance to internally displaced persons
in the Darfur region and to Sudanese refugees in Chad.
2015: Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction
Adopted
in March 2015, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction sets out the
priorities of the international community for disaster risk reduction during
the 2015–30 period. Switzerland hosted the conference process in Geneva.
Members of the SHA were also involved in the discussions and negotiations
which lasted nine months. Switzerland also worked to ensure that countries
most affected by natural disasters and the consequences of climate change had
a voice in the discussions, restating the need to better integrate disaster
risk reduction into development processes and to involve the private sector
more.
1975–76: earthquake in Eastern Anatolia, Turkey
After a strong earthquake
hit the highlands of Eastern Anatolia, 28 volunteers, with the help of local
people, built 50 houses in a completely destroyed small farming village within
four weeks. In the reconstruction phase, they also rehabilitated farm
buildings, a school, a mosque, a meeting hall, a bridge and the water supply.
1988–1991: founding of INSARAG
The severe earthquake in Spitak in 1988 showed that
the coordination of such emergency relief needed to be improved.
Switzerland first proposed cooperation with Germany and Austria, which led to an agreement in 1990 and then to the establishment of the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) in 1991. The aim of INSARAG was to create international standards, common rules for international coordination with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), as well as to establish standard training and equipment for rescue teams.
Switzerland already had experience in capacity-building programmes. In the years that followed the founding of INSARAG, Swiss Humanitarian Aid supported a number of countries in setting up local rescue teams. For example, China was supported in an advisory capacity for ten years up to obtaining INSARAG classification as a 'heavy team'.
Switzerland first proposed cooperation with Germany and Austria, which led to an agreement in 1990 and then to the establishment of the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) in 1991. The aim of INSARAG was to create international standards, common rules for international coordination with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), as well as to establish standard training and equipment for rescue teams.
Switzerland already had experience in capacity-building programmes. In the years that followed the founding of INSARAG, Swiss Humanitarian Aid supported a number of countries in setting up local rescue teams. For example, China was supported in an advisory capacity for ten years up to obtaining INSARAG classification as a 'heavy team'.
From 1999: cash for shelter
In connection with the establishment of tent
camps in Albania during the Kosovo war, Swiss Humanitarian Aid proposed the
introduction of a 'cash for shelter' programme. After initial reservations
about the programme on the part of the UN and Swiss aid organisations due to
corruption, an additional credit of CHF 10 million was granted after the
proposal was submitted. This was the official start and international
breakthrough of the 'cash for shelter' approach.
2005: earthquake in Pakistan
Switzerland mobilised aid after the violent earthquake that killed over 80,000 people and injured 70,000 on 8 October 2005 in Pakistan. More than 300 tonnes of material were distributed and 45 SHA members remained engaged until the end of 2005. The humanitarian crisis was exacerbated by the onset of winter. A race against time was begun to get relief supplies to the affected areas before access roads became impassable.
2016: the first World Humanitarian Summit
The aim of the first World
Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul was to raise awareness of the scale of
humanitarian needs, often caused by conflict and lack of development, while
proposing political solutions to crises. Switzerland announced a greater
commitment to mediation and prevention, and called for respect for
international humanitarian law. It argued that people in need should not only
receive emergency assistance but also be offered prospects for the future. It
co-organised an event to improve protection for people forced to flee to
another country because of natural disasters or the consequences of climate
change. It also advocated for greater involvement of local actors in any
humanitarian response.
1976–80: emergency relief and reconstruction in Friuli, Italy
Immediately after a severe
earthquake in northern Italy, Switzerland deployed 33 SHA members for emergency
relief and reconstruction measures. Two military helicopters were used to
improve the supply of medical assistance and water (21 airlifts with 200
landings). The reconstruction work before the onset of winter included the
construction of 50 barracks and the procurement of 120 caravans for the homeless
as well as second-hand construction machinery. As part of direct support,
buildings with 66 flats, farm buildings and several flats for the elderly were
built in four municipalities.
1990–91: supply bottlenecks in Russia and Bulgaria
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, supporting social structures were missing. To bridge food shortages in hospitals and homes in Moscow and Leningrad (St Petersburg from 1991), ten SHA members transported over 70 tonnes of powdered milk and baby food by lorry. In Bulgaria, too, SHA members organised the distribution of powdered milk and medicines.
2000: effectiveness of humanitarian aid
Switzerland and OCHA
co-hosted a conference to strengthen the effectiveness of humanitarian aid. 52
states and several international organisations and NGOs met in Fribourg from 15
to 16 June 2000 to set out an action plan. The aim of the plan was to improve
coordination between all actors, to tackle obstacles to the deployment of
humanitarian aid and personnel, to promote mutual assistance between neighbouring
countries through bilateral and multilateral agreements, and to strengthen
civil society institutions and national crisis management agencies. The
continued need to protect civilians was also at the heart of discussions.
2006: Middle East crisis
In July 2006, some 40 SHA
specialists were deployed to Lebanon as soon as hostilities broke out between
Israel and Hezbollah. From there they organised the repatriation of 921 Swiss
nationals. In particular, through the ICRC, they provided emergency assistance
to displaced people in the Beirut area. In September 2006, shortly after the
ceasefire, Switzerland allocated an additional CHF 20 million for people
affected by the Middle East conflict. In Lebanon, this funding helped to
rehabilitate schools and support Palestinian refugees. Switzerland also
participated in the disposal of unexploded ordnance from cluster bombs dropped
by the Israeli army. In the occupied Palestinian territory, the additional
funding was used to strengthen the programmes of Switzerland's partners and to
support the Palestinian Red Crescent.
2017: the exodus of the Rohingya to Bangladesh
In August 2017, nearly one
million Rohingya fled violence in the state of Rakhine in western Myanmar to
Bangladesh. Completely destitute, these people, many of them women and
children, found themselves in overcrowded camps in the Cox's Bazar district of
south-eastern Bangladesh. On the ground, members of the SHA supported the NGO
Solidarités International. They drilled wells, installed hand pumps and
restored around ten water points in the camps. Emergency latrines were
installed to prevent the spread of diarrhoeal diseases. Soap and sanitary
towels were distributed. Beds, bedside tables and IV stands were provided to
the main hospital in Cox's Bazar. A blood bank was set up in collaboration with
three hospitals to address shortfalls in blood donations and blood
transfusions. Subsequently, SHA members also worked on waste and wastewater
management.
1976–81: reconstruction in Guatemala
An earthquake in a
heavily populated area of Guatemala killed 24,000 people, leaving hundreds of
thousands homeless and destroying 250,000 homes. Around 40 SHA specialists
built 2,300 largely earthquake-resistant homes and 24 community centres. The
'build back better' principle was integrated into the reconstruction projects,
which had not been the case in international disaster relief until then.
Switzerland brought new impetus and motivated other organisations to integrate
this principle.
1991: effects of the Gulf War in Turkey
As a result of the Gulf
War, several hundred thousand Iraqi Kurds fled to the mountainous regions of
Turkey. 20 SHA members were deployed to the region to provide survival
assistance for protection from the weather, food and – crucially – medicines.
For this purpose, Switzerland sent several convoys of relief goods.
2001: name change and formation of the rapid response teams
Toni Frisch changed
the name of the SHA in 2001 as one of his first official acts as its new
delegate. The Swiss Disaster Relief Corps became Swiss Humanitarian
Aid Unit (SHA).
At the same time, Frisch initiated the establishment of rapid response teams as a clear alternative to Swiss Rescue. The idea behind this was for small, flexible teams consisting of six or more specialists who could quickly bring their emergency relief expertise to bear on the ground.
At the same time, Frisch initiated the establishment of rapid response teams as a clear alternative to Swiss Rescue. The idea behind this was for small, flexible teams consisting of six or more specialists who could quickly bring their emergency relief expertise to bear on the ground.
2010: one of the biggest operations following the earthquake in Haiti
On
12 January 2010, a magnitude 7 earthquake struck Haiti, claiming more than
230,000 lives and leaving 1.5 million people homeless. 150 SHA members and
170 tonnes of relief supplies were deployed to the affected areas. The SHA
teams distributed survival kits and equipment to build temporary shelters.
They installed about 50 water points to supply 50,000 people with drinking
water. Tents were set up in front of several destroyed schools to allow
education to continue. A complete field hospital was flown from Switzerland
to Haiti. The SHA's medical team treated more than 800 patients, performing
620 surgical operations and delivering around 100 babies.
In a second phase, Swiss Humanitarian Aid was involved in the reconstruction of school infrastructure. The SDC was the first organisation to obtain permission from the Haitian Ministry of Education to build schools after the earthquake. All buildings were built to earthquake and cyclone-resistant standards to reduce the risk of future disasters. In July that year, the SDC opened a Competence Centre for Reconstruction in Port-au-Prince, comprising specialists from the SHA and the private sector.
In a second phase, Swiss Humanitarian Aid was involved in the reconstruction of school infrastructure. The SDC was the first organisation to obtain permission from the Haitian Ministry of Education to build schools after the earthquake. All buildings were built to earthquake and cyclone-resistant standards to reduce the risk of future disasters. In July that year, the SDC opened a Competence Centre for Reconstruction in Port-au-Prince, comprising specialists from the SHA and the private sector.
2020: explosion in the port of Beirut
On 4 August 2020, a
stockpile of 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate exploded in the port of Beirut.
The explosion devastated entire streets around the port. It also damaged or
destroyed schools and hospitals. For one month, 38 SHA specialists were
involved in humanitarian efforts. Together with the local authorities, they
inspected more than 80 damaged buildings to determine whether they were
habitable or not. Swiss Humanitarian Aid sent SHA medical personnel and over
1,500 kg of equipment to support maternal and child healthcare in two hospitals
in Beirut. SHA architects participated in the rehabilitation of 19 selected
schools in collaboration with the Lebanese Ministry of Education. In total, the
SDC provided CHF 6 million for the population of Beirut.
From 1976: build back better
After the 1976
earthquake in Guatemala, the ‘build back better’ principle was integrated into
reconstruction projects, something that had not been done before in
international disaster relief. Switzerland gave new impetus and motivated other
organisations to integrate this principle. As part of the reconstruction
projects, SHA specialists trained local staff who would train future
homeowners. All stakeholders were closely involved in the planning and
reconstruction.
1990–96: natural disasters in the Philippines
After an earthquake, the
eruption of Mt Pinatubo and a cyclone in the Philippines, emergency shelters
were built for more than 500 homeless people and 48 classrooms were rebuilt. In
this context, SHA specialists developed an earthquake- and hurricane-resistant
type of school building. Furthermore, the behaviour of the mud flows around
Pinatubo was investigated and the government was advised on the arrangement of
geotechnical measures.
2011: the Syrian crisis
In 2011, protesters took to
the streets in Syria in the wake of the Arab Spring. This led to a bloody
suppression and a humanitarian crisis ensued that spread across the entire
region. In over a decade, the Syrian crisis has affected the lives of at least
12 million people. More than 5.5 million Syrians have sought refuge in Lebanon,
Jordan, Turkey and Iraq. In Syria itself, over 6 million people are internally
displaced. SHA members have helped to implement several direct actions. For
example, they have rehabilitated 80 schools in Lebanon and Jordan so that
Syrian refugee children can continue their education. They worked with the
Lebanese authorities to improve water management in the Beqaa Valley, where
thousands of Syrian refugees have settled. SHA members have also been seconded
to UN agencies. Between 2011 and 2022, 55 SHA specialists supported the UN in
Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Jordan and Turkey in several sectors, including providing
access to safe water, sanitation and shelter, and protection for vulnerable
groups.
2022: war in Ukraine
On 24 February 2022,
Russian troops invaded Ukraine. A few days later, Swiss Humanitarian Aid set in
motion its emergency assistance operation. More than 70 SHA members were
deployed to Ukraine, Poland and Moldova in the following weeks. The SDC sent
more than 1,000 tonnes of relief supplies to Ukraine. Having operated
temporarily from Lviv in western Ukraine, the SHA members moved to the Swiss
embassy in Kyiv after the representation reopened in May 2022. The SHA members
worked to implement medium-term programmes in collaboration with SDC partners.
They also carried out direct actions in the areas of water and sanitation and
repairing damaged homes.
1978–79: refugee crisis in Zaire (now Democratic Republic of the Congo)
33 SHA volunteers helped to
alleviate the emergency situation in Bas-Zaire, where several tens of thousands
of refugees had arrived from Angola. On behalf of the UNHCR, the SHA members
worked from April 1978 to the end of 1979, providing medical care for refugees,
performing distribution tasks (food, clothing, medicines) and organising
transport. This life-saving action by the SHA was received very well in the
Swiss press.
1991–98: deployment of 165 SHA members in former Yugoslavia
As a result of the
conflicts in the former Yugoslavia, a total of 165 SHA members were deployed in
the seven years from 1991 to the beginning of 1998. In a first phase, they
provided emergency aid and built winter-proof shelters for around 30,000
people. During the reconstruction phase, they repaired infrastructure including
around 100 school buildings for 50,000 pupils. In Croatia, houses for 3,000
people in eight villages which had been destroyed were made habitable again
(shell construction). As part of the reintegration programme for refugees
returning from Switzerland, SHA members managed assistance projects in those
regions that received returnees, as well as construction work to provide
temporary housing for returnees without their own accommodation.
2011: search mission near Sendai, Japan
On
11 March 2011, a major seaquake occurred in the Tohoku region of Japan. The
quake with a magnitude of 9.1 claimed around 22,000 victims. A Swiss search
and assessment team of 23 specialists and 9 search dogs travelled to
Sendai, a city affected by the quake and tsunami. The team succeeded in
locating three victims.
2023: earthquake in Turkey/Syria
On 6 February 2023, a
7.8-magnitude earthquake occurred in Turkey and Syria. Another 7.5-magnitude
earthquake was recorded on the same day. More than 50,000 people lost their
lives and over 100,000 were injured. Eighty-seven members of Swiss Rescue were
dispatched to Turkey. The rescue operations took place in the Hatay region.
Swiss Rescue saved 11 people, including two newborns. In a second phase, more
than 30 SHA members were deployed to bring humanitarian assistance. They
distributed tents and basic necessities such as hygiene kits. They set up
sanitary facilities for the homeless. SHA medical specialists supported a
hospital in Antakya/Hatay. Together with the hospital staff, they treated
nearly 400 children and mothers.
1980–81: earthquake in Algeria
Following an earthquake
that killed around 2,700 people, initial emergency aid was provided swiftly and
effectively, in a format that would prove typical of the subsequently formed
Swiss Rescue. Two mobile emergency surgical teams were deployed, the first of
which was flown in by the Swiss Air-Rescue (Rega). SHA members set up and
operated a small tent hospital, installed radio equipment with connections as
far as Switzerland and operated three drinking water treatment plants. A
paediatric medical team was later added. 22 volunteers were deployed during the
emergency operation. During the reconstruction phase, a secondary school for
1,000 pupils was built under the direction of six construction experts.
1981: founding of Swiss Rescue
In autumn 1981, cooperation
between the SHA, the Federal Office of Air Raid Protection, Swiss Air-Rescue (Rega)
and the Swiss Disaster Dog Association (REDOG) was tested for the first time in
a two-day combined exercise. The four organisations initially formed Swiss
Rescue, which was set up to provide joint emergency aid in the four areas of
locating, rescuing, transporting and supplying, in the event of an earthquake
disaster.
1981: agreement with the UNHCR
From 1978, SHA members were placed at the
disposal of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). They
worked in emergency shelter, medical care and logistics in several African and
Asian countries. This extensive experience in helping displaced people led to
the conclusion of a formal partnership with the UNHCR in November 1981. An agreement
regulated the details of SHA missions on behalf of the UNHCR. Similar
partnerships with other UN organisations followed.
1982–83: first Swiss Rescue operation in North Yemen (now Yemen)
Following an earthquake in
North Yemen, Swiss Rescue, consisting of the SHA, the Federal Office of Air
Raid Protection, Swiss Air-Rescue (Rega) and the Swiss Disaster Dog Association
(REDOG), was deployed for the first time. They were able to save three lives.
As part of the reconstruction, 20 SHA members built and operated five
dispensaries.
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50 years of humanitarian aid
