The Toll of Ethiopia's Endless Drought

Consecutive failed rainy seasons have forced thousands of Ethiopians into internally displaced people camps. But existing issues in the camps carry their own set of risks for an already vulnerable population.

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Helvetas works to alleviate poverty and advance human rights in more than 30 countries.

Repairing War-Damaged Homes in Ukraine

Helvetas is supporting the reconstruction of houses in Makariv. Residents share stories of narrowly escaping bombs and kindness from strangers.

Assessing the Global Impact of the Pandemic

An Alliance2015 survey of more than 8,000 people across 18 countries reveals that people in many low-income countries have not recovered from the effects of COVID-19.

The War in Ukraine

Helvetas helps people fleeing the war by providing them with essentials such as safe shelter, food and hygiene products. We also connect refugees with access to education and work in the medium term.

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Our latest blogs & news

Blog 14. March 2023

More than Flow: The WISE Scales Measure Water Users’ Experiences

Blog 08. March 2023

Municipalities to the Forefront: Ensuring Sustainable Water Services in Haiti

Blog 27. February 2023

Drought, Hunger and Abuse: The Tragic Realities of Southern Ethiopia

Blog 21. February 2023

Looking Back on the International Cooperation Forum 2023: An Interview with Diepak Elmer

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At the Ukrainian-Moldovan border, Help Centers operated by Helvetas and our partners offer respite to refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine.

Ukraine War: Helvetas Supports Refugees in Moldova

SPECIAL: Featured projects on private sector engagement

Laos

Good Tea Fetches Good Prices

Guatemala

Women´s Agro-entrepreneurship in the Highlands

Kyrgyzstan

Creating Jobs to Escape Poverty

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Travel around the world with our stories

Yezina Overcomes Every Hurdle

Yezina won't let her handicap stop her. She wants to become a successful seamstress who decides her own life.

Welcome Home

Hospitality has a long tradition for the Red Dao in the northern highlands of Vietnam. Thanks to sustainable tourism, it should now also give rural communities an income.

Stateless – the Fate of the Rohingya

In the refugee camp in Bangladesh, Rabeya Begum and Mohamad try everything to enable their little son Mohamad Rizwan to live in dignity.

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Where and how we work

Our Topics

Helvetas’ work impacts livelihoods: water, food and the environment. Thanks to trainings and capacity building people better determine their living conditions.

Where we work

Helvetas helps people in some thirty different countries to actively improve their living conditions. Find out more about our work in each of these countries.

Advocacy

Sustainable development only works within the right policy framework. Helvetas advocates for dialog with political decision-makers.

Our topics

WASH Services

Helvetas helps vulnerable populations build resilience and prepare for climate change by securing access to safe water and a stable supply of nutritious food.

Skills, Jobs and Income services

Lack of education perpetuates inequality and limits economic opportunity. Helvetas enhances the quality of skills training and helps build fair labor markets with decent jobs.

Voice, Inclusion & Cohesion

In many countries where we work, men and women are unable to claim their rights and participate actively in decision-making processes.

WASH & Water Governance

The most vulnerable communities of the world suffer from dirty water. Every year, we support up to 500,000 people in getting access to clean drinking water and sanitary facilities.

Gender & Social Equity

Helvetas makes sure that our work actively and meaningfully includes and supports the most disadvantaged groups.

Climate & Disaster Resilience

Every year, we support over 1,000,000 people in adapting to climate change, reducing the risks of disasters, sustainably managing natural resources, and conserving nature.

Food & Nutrition

Helvetas works to combat the world’s hunger problem by connecting disadvantaged women and men to stable supplies of affordable, nutritious and healthy food.

About us

Helvetas is an independent Swiss development organization that is building capacity in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe. We bring about real change in the lives of over three million disadvantaged people every year. We implement development projects in the areas of water, food and climate, education, jobs and private sector development, governance, gender and social equity. Helvetas also provides emergency response after disasters. In Switzerland we promote solidarity in spirit and in action and take part in the ongoing developmental policy dialogue.