Children play in the devastated neighbourhoods of Aleppo, Syria

Annual report 2023

Crises are becoming more complex and are being forgotten at the same time. Find out here how we stood by those affected around the world in 2023 - for a world without poverty.

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What to expect in the Annual report 2023

08.05.2024

A girl walks through the Jabal Bedro neighbourhood in Aleppo, a city shattered by the earthquake and the war.

Humanitarian aid

Increasingly complex crises

In the twenty or so countries where we run our projects, people are increasingly faced with several crises at the same time. This makes the problems more complex, the people affected more vulnerable and the aid more demanding.

Read the story «Increasingly complex crises»

Read the story «Emergency relief and reconstruction in Syria and Ukraine»

Humanitarian aid in figures

149118

people

were supported by Caritas Switzerland with humanitarian aid

(2023)

25

million

swiss francs were spent by Caritas Switzerland on humanitarian aid

(2023)

23

projects

of Caritas Switzerland are based on the Nexus approach

(2023)

68

projects

of Caritas Switzerland are active in regions categorised as fragile and conflict-affected contexts by the World Bank

(2023)

Every year, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) publishes a list of the world's ten «forgotten crises». The aim is to draw public attention to the plight of those who rarely, if ever, make the headlines. When crises are forgotten, the pressure to find an international solution diminishes. At the same time, much-needed donations dwindle.

Find out more about our work in «forgotten crises» (German)

Farmers in Tajikistan depend on the weather. Caritas supports them in working with the weather and adapting to climate change.

International cooperation

Tajikistan adapts to a changing climate

Agriculture in Tajikistan is suffering from climate change, and adaptation to the new conditions is essential.

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International cooperation in figures

81626

people

worldwide learnt to better adapt to climate change with Caritas Switzerland

(2023)

2898

people

benefited from the agricultural project in Tajikistan

(2023)

153

weather stations

were installed by Caritas Switzerland throughout the country since spring 2021

(31.12.2023)

Further projects 2023 International cooperation

Interview

Employees are Caritas' greatest potential

Chantal Cornaz, Head of HR and member of the Executive Board, talks in this interview about how more than 1'000 employees in 16 countries work together.

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Employees in figures

1214

employees

are committed at Caritas Switzerland to a world without poverty

(31.12.2023)

29

of all employees work abroad. Of these, 322 are employed by the local national organisations and 27 directly by Caritas Switzerland.

(31.12.2023)

16

languages

are spoken among Caritas Switzerland employees. After German and French, the most common language is Amharic (spoken in Ethiopia and elsewhere).

(31.12.2023)

57,5

of management positions at Caritas Switzerland are held by women.

(31.12.2023)

A woman searches for firewood near the village of Angarada in Chad. The region is severely affected by climate change and food insecurity is growing. Caritas Switzerland provides seasonal food aid for very vulnerable households and strengthens their resilience in the long term by creating new sources of income. In this way, humanitarian aspects are supplemented with long-term development measures.

Political engagement

Our positions 2023

Caritas is committed to a policy that takes account of socially disadvantaged people in Switzerland and abroad. We are committed to this through well-founded analyses and clear positions.

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The quote on government policy

«Thanks to the efforts of Peruvian farmers, we can continue to drive our off-road vehicles around Switzerland.»Angela Lindt

Angela Lindt, head of the climate and development policy desk at Caritas Switzerland on the parliamentary debate on offsetting of Swiss CO₂ abroad.

«Tribune de Genève», 11 December 2023

The Mangan family lives on the breadline

Switzerland: Poverty reduction

Life at the limit – poverty is no adventure

When people live on the bare minimum, they fall through the cracks in the social safety net. They don't have enough money to live on and yet receive no help from the state. Mrs Mangan is one of them.

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Cooperation with regional Caritas

«I’m regularly faced with the choice of either buying food or paying bills.»Mrs Mangan

At the House of Education and Integration in Matran, refugees learn important skills that help them to integrate

Switzerland: Migration and integration

Justice and dignity for migrants

In 2023, migration to Switzerland was complex. Caritas Switzerland has worked tirelessly for the rights of migrants and their integration in Switzerland.

Read the story

Cooperation with regional Caritas

Migration and integration in figures

9565

asylum-seekers

in federal asylum centres were represented, of whom1'905 were minors

(2023)

183

cases

of people trafficking identified

(2023)

2721

persons

from Ukraine were represented on their way to protection status «S»

(2023)

690

complaints

were submitted at the Federal Administrative Court

(2023)

Further projects Engagement Switzerland

Caritas in figures

Financial report

The financial report presents our annual accounts and balance sheet. It provides information on the distribution of private and public donations and other income, and how we use the funds.

Download financial report 2023

An overview of key figures

Caritas Switzerland's income comes from a variety of sources and ensures that the organisation and its projects are financed from a wide range of sources. © Caritas Switzerland

Thanks to financing alliances with Swiss Solidarity, the federal government and other partner organisations in Switzerland and abroad, Caritas is able to quadruple the effect of each franc donated to it. © Caritas Switzerland

These figures are stated in accordance with the rules of Swiss GAAP FER 21 and the guidelines of the Zewo Foundation for determining administrative expenses of non-profit organisations. © Caritas Switzerland

Key figures according to Zewo guidelines

Caritas Switzerland's income comes from a variety of sources and ensures that the organisation and its projects are financed from a wide range of sources. © Caritas Switzerland

Balance sheet and annual accounts

Jabal Bedro is a neighbourhood in Aleppo where Caritas Syria (a partner of Caritas Switzerland) is implementing various projects. The population is very poor and the neighbourhood has been badly damaged by the war.

Retrospect, committees and partners

The President and Director look back on the year 2023

Monika Maire-Hefti and Peter Lack: «We are committed to a fair and responsible Switzerland that enables everyone to live well, at home and abroad.»

Retrospective, committees and partners 2023

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