Conflict and Fragility

Fragile and conflict-affected states are a particular concern to the international development community as they represent a concentration of many of the world’s most poor and vulnerable people, and the likelihood of achieving the Millennium Development Goals within such states is extremely remote. It is both particularly challenging and particularly necessary to intervene in such contexts in favour of the poor and vulnerable.

SDC provides Humanitarian Aid in fragile, conflict-riven situations where there is a clear and immediate need to save lives and relieve suffering. Examples include South Sudan and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. SDC is also active in supporting longer term development programmes in a variety of countries that are experiencing, or emerging from, civil conflict. A sound contextual analysis of power structures and dynamics, and tailoring interventions to ensure a “do no harm” approach, are particularly crucial in such situations – which is why conflict and fragility is considered a transversal theme. To ensure effectiveness, coherence and security, SDC has elaborated guidelines for conflict sensitive programme management (CSPM), which are used wherever considered necessary – as for example in Afghanistan, Nepal, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Rwanda.

SDC also follows the guidelines developed by the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) with regard to conflict and fragility.

For more information on Swiss humanitarian aid, please visit: http://www.deza.admin.ch/en/Home/Activities/Humanitarian_Aid