Programme contribution

The SDC is a major institutional partner and awards us a programme contribution for our work in Africa, Middle East, Latin America, Asia and Europe.

The Swiss Red Cross carries out specific missions on mandates from the SDC. We set up projects in close cooperation with the SDC, often in collaboration with other organizations that run them.

Through the worldwide network of SDC coordination offices, we receive special grants for our work in specific countries. These enable us to respond to crises on the ground, in partnership with local and/or international experts.

This contribution enables us to deploy immediately in the event of acute crises and natural disasters abroad to run emergency relief operations. This is particularly relevant for crises and disasters that receive little public attention.

Distribution of relief goods to people affected by floods in Khartoum. The relief goods are organized and ready to be taken away.

How we fund our work

We are able to carry out our many activities in Switzerland and abroad thanks to the financial support of various public and private partners. The overheads for many of our services are covered in part by contributions from the beneficiaries. Some of our activities are assignments from the publi authorities.

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SRC Headquarters

The activities of the SRC Headquarters are normally funded, roughly equally from:

Private donations and sponsorships
Assignments for the public authorities
Contributions from other organizations (Swiss Solidarity, SRC Humanitarian Foundation, other Red Cross organizations) and its own income

During the pandemic and since the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine, private donors have shown extraordinary solidarity. The proportion of income from donations therefore increased temporarily.

We are recognized as the only Red Cross society in Switzerland and receive an annual lump sum from the federal government for our services. Otherwise the SRC receives no state subsidies.

SRC Association

The cantonal associations and rescue organizations are legally independent institutions. If you have questions about our funding, please consult our annual reports.

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To the Aargau cantonal association website
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To the Appenzell Ausserrhoden cantonal association website
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To the Appenzell Innerrhoden cantonal association website
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To the Basel-Landschaft cantonal association website
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To the Basel-Stadt cantonal association website
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To the Bern cantonal association website
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To the Freiburg/Fribourg cantonal association website
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To the Geneva cantonal association website
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To the Glarus cantonal association website
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To the Graubünden cantonal association website
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To the Jura cantonal association website
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To the Lucerne cantonal association website
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To the Neuchâtel cantonal association website
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To the Nidwalden cantonal association website
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To the Obwalden cantonal association website
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To the Schaffhausen cantonal association website
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To the Schwyz cantonal association website
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To the Solothurn cantonal association website
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To the St Gallen cantonal association website
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To the Thurgau cantonal association website
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To the Ticino cantonal association website
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To the Uri cantonal association website
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To the Vaud cantonal association website
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To the Wallis/Valais cantonal association website
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To the Zug cantonal association website
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To the Zurich cantonal association website

Private funding

Private individuals, foundations, companies, cantons, cities and communal authorities donate funds that are either earmarked for specific services and projects in Switzerland and abroad or for our work in general. Companies support us through sponsorship agreements.

Our cooperation with corporate entities is based on guidelines that take account of the Red Cross Fundamental Principles. We conduct due diligence on potential partners.

Our partners

Find out more about who we are already partnered with (information available in German, French and Italian).

Learn more

Public support

Assignments

The Swiss Red Cross provides specific services on assignment from the federal and cantonal authorities. For example, it recognizes foreign qualifications in the healthcare professions. On behalf of the federal government, Swiss Transfusion SRC and the 11 regional blood transfusion services supply hospitals throughout the country with blood products. The cantonal government in Uri has entrusted the care and accommodation services for asylum-seekers and refugees to the Swiss Red Cross. Various cantonal associations provide other public services under contract to the cantonal authorities.

SDC contributions

The Swiss Agency for Development & Cooperation (SDC) provides the Swiss Red Cross with financial support for its projects abroad. Together we pursue Switzerland’s international cooperation goals:

Our own income

Some of our services are subject to a charge. However, since we maintain them at socially acceptable levels, the income rarely covers our overheads. We therefore partially fund these services through donations.

Contributions from other organizations

Swiss Solidarity

The Swiss Red Cross is one of 25 partners accredited by Swiss SolidarityOpens a new window. In partnership with the Swiss national broadcaster, Swiss Solidarity collects donations for those affected by humanitarian crises and disasters, such as armed conflicts, earthquakes or floods. Thanks to our collaboration with Swiss Solidarity, we can also support long-term reconstruction projects in the wake of natural disasters.

SRC Humanitarian Foundation

The SRC Humanitarian FoundationOpens a new window is an institution of the Swiss Red Cross. Its sole purpose is to support campaigns and humanitarian projects run by Red Cross and Red Crescent societies.

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