Successful Donation Year for Helvetas Creates Opportunities Worldwide
Helvetas can now look back on the second-best donation result in its history: Thanks to great solidarity, the Swiss organization for development cooperation and humanitarian aid was able to receive a total of $50.5 million in donations in 2024 and thus support people living in poverty and those in need in around 35 countries.
Numerous crises, conflicts and extreme weather events caused a great deal of suffering worldwide last year and required humanitarian interventions. At the same time, too many people are still living in poverty. Helvetas, the Swiss organization for development cooperation and humanitarian aid, was able to count on the great solidarity of Swiss and international donors, foundations and companies to create opportunities on the ground.
- At $50.5 million, the 2024 donation result is the second-best result in Helvetas' history. The NGO recorded growth of 6.2% compared to the previous year.
- Donations from private individuals account for the largest share: Helvetas received private donations totaling $18.7 million in 2024. This represents a slight decrease of 4% compared to the previous year, which is due to the fact that more was donated for humanitarian aid in Ukraine in 2023 than in 2024.
- Foundations, companies, municipalities and cantons showed particular solidarity: At $16.5 million, they donated more than ever before in the NGO's 70-year history.
- Contributions from foreign foundations also rose sharply to $13.3 million, an increase of 22% compared to 2023.
- Helvetas also received legacy gifts amounting to $2.1 million in 2024, 27% more than in the previous year.
Support even in acute need - for example in Ukraine
Helvetas gives poor and disadvantaged people access to water and food, creates training and employment opportunities and promotes participation—especially for women. In this way, the NGO contributes to fair opportunities. Helvetas employees, almost all of whom are local, work in 35 countries with the local population, the local private sector and local authorities.
Helvetas also supports people worldwide in acute emergency situations. Two examples:
- In Ukraine, war-damaged houses and water systems are being repaired so that those in need can survive during the harsh winter months. Helvetas is also equipping schools and air raid shelters with furniture and generators so that heating systems can function even during power cuts and face-to-face teaching can take place despite attacks.
- Thanks to its long-standing presence in Bolivia, Helvetas was also able to help those affected quickly during the devastating forest fires in 2024. Helvetas often works together with other Swiss aid organizations—in this case with Solidar Suisse. This enabled families to be provided with drinking water, food, hygiene products and medicines. The forest fires destroyed parts of the Amazon rainforest and threatened the livelihoods of thousands of people, including indigenous communities.
Further information:
The annual and financial reports will be published at the end of May 2025.
