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Breaking the vicious circle of conflict

Konfliktpr__vention_by_Armin_Hacker_taube_im_anflug2_kl.jpg Where conflict escalates into violence and war, the conditions for sustainable development are undermined, spiralling into a cycle of poverty and violence. The SDC provides fast emergency assistance in humanitarian crises and anticipates conflict by observing and spotting tensions early in partner countries.
Key facts

• Since the early Nineties, the number of conflicts of all kinds involving a government has fallen from 50 to 29.
• At the same time, the number of "de jure" refugees has fallen from 17 to 10 million.
• The number of internally displaced persons has risen from 3 to 23 million because now, civil wars account for the majority of conflicts.
• Approximately 80% of refugees are women and children who are particularly vulnerable to all forms of violence, especially sexual violence.

The many knock-on effects of war include the decline of the State, social insecurity, the collapse of growth and investment, high unemployment, population displacement and a booming black market, to name but a few. These problems are also often at the root of conflict, creating a vicious circle which needs to be turned around and made virtuous.

Because the future of the world is inconceivable without peaceful coexistence among peoples, Switzerland has stepped up its commitment so as to contribute actively to the prevention of armed conflict, crisis management and reconstruction efforts.

The SDC focus: Both humanitarian and development activities

In the field, SDC presence takes the form of humanitarian measures in crisis situations in tandem with development programmes and projects that take a longer view. Swiss Cooperation pursues a dual objective: safeguarding the interests of the very poor to ensure they have their say, and preventing or mitigating the serious damage suffered by the population at large.

The SDC joins forces with its national and international partners to identify and boost the potential of vulnerable societies in a bid to build peace. It establishes a basis for constructive dialogue by enlisting the resources of civil society to bolster the chances of lasting peace.

Migration, gender and conflict, armed violence and human security are just some of the issues the SDC addresses together with other Federal Department of Foreign Affairs divisions, especially Political Division IV. This pooling of efforts facilitates a consistent approach to long-term programme and strategy coordination. Swiss Cooperation work in Nepal throughout the peace agreement negotiations is a telling example of what such synergies can achieve.

Theme contact: Markus Heiniger

Additional Information and Documents

Documents
  • SDC Peacebuilding Guidelines
    Download (PDF, 757 KB) :  [en]   [fr]   [es]  

External Links
Articles and Press releases