Caritas Switzerland

Mission

‘With strong partnerships against poverty’ is the key strategic goal of Caritas Switzerland. Legally, Caritas Switzerland is an association which operates as an independent, multi-functional relief agency with its head office in Lucerne. The aid agency is a member of the international Caritas network. This consists of 162 organisations worldwide, which are active in more than two hundred countries. In Switzerland, Caritas Switzerland works closely with the Regional Caritas Organisations.

Disaster Reduction Goal

Climate change is an existential threat for poor, marginalised population groups in developing countries in particular. That is why we are actively engaged in climate protection and advocate the increased use of renewable energy, the dissemination of energy-efficient technologies and their use for the benefit of poor, marginalised population groups. Furthermore, we support people in their efforts to protect themselves against disasters. With our programmes, we work to ensure that disasters are prevented, or at least that their impacts are reduced.

Policies and Programmes in DRR

– Climate Change Adaptation: People have always had to adapt to new environmental conditions. However, anthropogenic climate change in recent decades is resulting in changes in weather and ecosystems that are so far-reaching and occur so quickly that the very survival of many societies is under threat. Adaptation projects help people to increase their capabilities and opportunities of adaptation, for example through new approaches to water use, land management or animal husbandry.
– Climate Change Mitigation: Climate change mitigation projects tackle the causes of the changes referred to: The aim is to slow down climate change and to limit it. By spreading renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies, greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced. Furthermore, mitigation projects in developing countries provide opportunities to create income-generating activities and enable poor communities to access energy – both important factors in poverty reduction.
– Disaster Risk Reduction: Natural disasters – whether or not due to climate change – can cause immense damage; often it seems as if we humans cannot do anything against these forces. But this is only partially true. The potential damage caused by natural events can be significantly reduced. This is precisely where DRR projects intervene: They aim to prepare communities for natural disasters and prevent or reduce damage.

Membership in Key Networks

Swiss NGO DRR Platform
Global Network for Disaster Reduction

Disaster Reduction Focal Point(s)

Nicole Stolz, nstolz@caritas.ch

Websites

www.caritas.ch