Review by the President and the Director

On the other hand, there is a long list of depressing situations: the war in Sudan with hundreds of thousands of refugees. Russia’s ongoing violence against Ukraine. Israeli hostages who were killed or held for more than a year by Hamas. The Israeli bombings that destroyed livelihoods in the Gaza Strip, attacks on Lebanon. A dramatic drought in Chad. Severe storms in the Misox Valley in Graubünden. Significant cuts in international development cooperation by the Swiss Parliament… One could despair and resign. But that is not how Caritas Switzerland reacts.

Instead, last year we supported 103,335 people with humanitarian aid in acute crises such as war and displacement. In addition, we were able to sustainably improve the living conditions of several hundred thousand women, men and children thanks to short- and medium-term projects in 19 countries. The commitment of over 1400 employees in Switzerland and abroad has not only brought relief to people in need, but has also positively influenced the future of each and every one of them.

This annual report contains a wealth of figures that show the significant and sustainable impact of Caritas Switzerland’s work in Switzerland and abroad. None of this would have been possible without our partner organisations and the generous support of private individuals, foundations, companies, public authorities and church institutions. Together, we are committed to solidarity, justice and peace. We trust that we can continue to count on you as we face the upcoming national and global challenges. Thank you for joining us on our journey towards a more just world.

Steering Committee

Steering Board 2024

• President: Monika Maire-Hefti, registered nurse, former member of the Neuchâtel Cantonal Council, Les Ponts-de-Martel, Canton Neuchâtel
• Vice-President: Robert Moser, Deacon, Steg VS (until 31st May 2024)
• Gisèle Girgis-Musy, lic. oec., Leutwil AG (since 1st June 2024)
• Gülcan Akkaya, Dr. polit., lecturer and project leader (until 31st May 2024)
• Mario Slongo, Dr Dr hc. chemist/meteorologist, Tafers FR (until 31st May 2024)
• Jean-Noël Maillard, Directeur Caritas Jura, Delémont
• Martin Wey, Dr iur. utr. / lawyer and notary, Deputy Secretary-General SBK, Fribourg
• Thomas Bösch, Dr oec, former Global Head of HR and Senior Head of HR (since 1st June 2024)
• Richard Chenevard, executive MBA University of Geneva, former Joint Director DDC Office for International Cooperation in Tajikistan (since 1st June 2024)
• Chiara Gerosa Adamoli, lic. soc., journalist RSI, Rete uno, commentator RSI TV (since 1st June 2024)
• Anastas Odermatt, Dr phil., Sociologist of Religion, University of Lucerne (since 1st June 2024)

Additional Steering Committee Members

Diocese of Basel: Michaela Zurfluh, lic. theol. I, Pastor for Pastoral Care Kriens LU, Ebikon LU // Diocese of Lausanne, Genève, Fribourg: Jean-Claude Huot, lic. ès. lettres, Cossonay VD (until 31 May 2024) // Marianne Pohl-Henzen, philologist, Germanist, theologian, Fribourg (since 1st June 2024) // Diocese of St. Gallen: Sabine Rüthemann, PR specialist and Communications Officer, Diocese of SG (since 1st June 2024) // Diocese of Lugano: Marco Fantoni, Vice-Director Caritas Ticino, Pregassona (Lugano, until 31st May 2024) // Luigi Roncoroni, adult educator Division Manager FSEA Caritas Ticino, Cadro TI (since 1st June 2024) // Diocese of Chur: Bruno Gut-Fuchs, Deacon, Community Leader in parish of St. Verena, Stäfa ZH // Regional Caritas Organisations: Alexandre Antonin, lic. Political Sciences, MBA, Director Caritas Valais, Sion VS (until 31st May 2024) // Pascal Bregnard, Director Caritas Fribourg, Billens FR (since 1st June 2024) // Fabienne Notter, Directress Caritas Aargau and Caritas Solothurn, Solothurn // Silja Wenk, Co-Directress Caritas Bern, Bern // RKZ: Roland Loos, dipl. Electrical Engineer, ETH Lausanne, President RKZ, Yverdon-les-Bains VD // SKF: Iris Utz-Huwiler, President and Managing Directress of Accordeos Foundation, Meggen LU (until 31st May 2024) // Karin Ottiger, Social Worker FH Social Work, Managing Director SKF, Lucerne (since 1st June 2024)

Additional Steering Committee Members without a Mandate

Andrea Pfäffli, Master Comm.-Sciences Universities ZH and LU, Cantonal Councillor LU (since 1st June 2024) // Sabrina Corvini-Mohn, President Caritas of both Basels, Allschwil BL // Dr. Benno Schnüriger, former President Synodal Council rom-cath. Corporate Body Canton ZH, Zürich // Dr. Hans-Jörg Ruppen, dipl. Mathematician ETH, Dr. ès Sciences and both Titular and Honorary Professor EPFL Lausanne, Gampel VS // Markus Schmid, former Staff Manager and Organisation Advisor, Lucerne (until 31st May 2024) // Elisabeth von Capeller, Master Eng. Agronomy ETH Zurich, former CH Ambassador in Nepal (since 1st June 2024)

Head Office Caritas Switzerland

Executive Board 2024

• Director: Peter Lack, lic. theol., dipl. NPO-Manager VMI
• International Cooperation: Martina Weber, dipl. Social Worker MBA, MPH (since 1st February 2024, before on an interim basis from 1st November 2023)
• Projects Switzerland: Mireille Grädel, lic. phil. hist. Research and Politics: Andreas Lustenberger, Master in Sciences (Geography), member of the Cantonal Council Zug
• Communication and Fundraising (until 31st August 2024: Communication and Marketing): Elisabeth Karagiannis, lic. phil. (until 29th February 2024); Nicole Lehnherr, Business Economist FH and Fundraiser (interim from 1st March until 31st August 2024); Jan Schlink, Sociologist with specialization in Advertising Psychology & Communication Sciences (since 1st September 2024)
• Human Resources: Chantal Cornaz, lic. phil.
• Finances and Administration, Deputy Directress: Esther Reinhard, lic. rer. pol. with specialization in Finance Management (since 1st June 2024, before on an interim basis from 1st December 2023)
• Section Information and Communication Technology: Jürgen Enderle, dipl. – Degree in Computer Science (since 1st July 2024)

Business Audit Committee

• President: Alois Bissig, Notary and Attorney at Law, Ennetbürgen NW (until 31st May 2024); Kurt Grüter, former Director Federal Audit Office, Bern (since 1st June 2024, prior to that as member)
• Susana Garcia, former General Directress AVASAD, Lausanne
• Monika Otter, MAS Ethics FHNW, Freienbach SZ
• Lothar Sidler, lic. iur., General Manager Spitex Cantonal Association LU, former Town Councillor in Kriens LU (since 1st June 2024)

Auditory Function

• BDO AG, Luzern

Our Sustainability Strategy in 2024

The concept of sustainability underlies all of Caritas Switzerland’s projects and activities. That is why Caritas Switzerland has a sustainability strategy. With the goals defined in it, it contributes to sustainable development in Switzerland and worldwide – entirely in line with the UN’s 2030 Agenda. Caritas is committed to an ecological, economic and social level in a constantly evolving process. For example, it regularly carries out a CO2 balance at all its domestic and foreign locations in order to monitor climate-impacting emissions and further reduce its own emissions. Caritas also has an internal climate fund. In 2024, the funds from this fund were invested in selected initiatives with a particular focus on environmental sustainability in order to reduce its own emissions and take responsibility in the climate crisis.

• Sustainability at Caritas Switzerland

Strong Partnershipsfrom business, politics and society

These are the partners that make our work on behalf of disadvantaged people possible. Our warmest thanks!

• Partners

From Weggis to Ethiopia via CaritasCoffee has an impact

The story of this partnership begins with a love of coffee. For 50 years, Thermoplan AG has been getting the best out of beans – literally: the company from Weggis (LU) manufactures coffee machines.

The two companies drew on their many years of experience to develop the uniqueBean project together. It is being implemented in Ethiopia, the country where coffee originated. Coffee has been grown, roasted and brewed in Ethiopia – and loved – for over a thousand years.

A delegation from Thermoplan AG and Caritas visited the country in spring 2024. «We are strengthening farming families in the Bale region through sustainable coffee growing», says Adrian Steiner, explaining one of the project’s goals. Thanks to generous funding from Thermoplan AG, Caritas Switzerland has been able to implement the four-year project since autumn 2024.

• Project «uniqueBean»