Old Scars, New Wounds: Forty years after the Chernobyl disaster of 26 April 1986, Green Cross Switzerland pauses to reflect on this turning point in the history of humanity, whilst also looking to the future of the most severely affected regions.

Looking Back

Many people today have good reasons to doubt that humanity can collectively learn from history. At Green Cross Switzerland, we remain committed to this ambition, for it has been the foundation of our organisation’s work for over thirty years.

What lessons can we draw today from the most devastating accident in the history of nuclear power?

In pursuit of a supposedly great benefit, human beings tend to take foreseeable and significant risks, which all too often end in catastrophe — one of our own making. The certainty of being able to control potentially highly dangerous technologies to 100% has proved illusory in the case of nuclear energy.

The accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant (NPP) demonstrated in dramatic fashion how fatal it can be to underestimate technical risks, ignore warning signs, and subordinate safety to political or economic objectives. Years before the disaster, the Soviet secret and security service — the KGB — had knowledge of numerous risks and deficiencies. Yet these highly sensitive findings were kept secret and almost nothing was done.

Quite the contrary: eyewitness Nikolai Isaev recalls this period of false security and false happiness. He worked at the time in the chemical department of the power plant and lived with his family in the nearby city of Pripyat. Immediately after the accident, he was involved in the clean-up operations for more than five years. Today, having fled the war in Ukraine, he lives in Geneva. He describes his perception of life in the region before 26 April 1986 as follows: “In short: life was good, and nothing suggested anything terrible was coming — least of all the Chernobyl disaster.”

The RBMK reactors used at Chernobyl were regarded as powerful and relatively inexpensive to build, yet they carried considerable safety risks.

Safety was indeed improved in the wake of the Chernobyl disaster. It is nonetheless remarkable that seven of the seventeen RBMK reactors ever put into operation are still running today. Despite the (well-known) scale of the catastrophe, the Soviet government brought Blocks 1 to 3 back online. And even after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Chernobyl continued to operate. It was not until December 2000 that the last reactor was finally shut down.

Forty years ago, on 26 April 1986, at 1:23 in the morning, the explosion and meltdown in Reactor No. 4 finally occurred. During a test, the reactor entered an unstable state. Within seconds, power surged uncontrollably and explosions exposed the reactor core. The graphite it contained caught fire and burned for several days — releasing vast quantities of radioactive material that spread rapidly.

Nikolai Isaev reports that in the machine hall, shortly after the explosion, he could already see graphite from the reactor — a clear indication of the scale of the destruction. The full gravity of the situation was not yet recognised at that point, or was not openly communicated.

The worst-affected regions were not only present-day Ukraine, but also Belarus and parts of Russia. A significant proportion of the radioactive fallout was deposited over Belarus due to weather conditions at the time — a fact that continues to shape the daily lives of many people there to this day.

Nikolai Isaev recalls the first hours after the explosion: while soldiers in protective suits were already moving through the streets of Pripyat taking radiation measurements, many residents were still outside and children were playing in the open air. This simultaneity of normality and invisible danger felt utterly surreal.

The first victims were already being mourned in the early morning hours. The total number of people whose lives were claimed by the accident has remained disputed to this day. The same is true of the number of illnesses caused by radiation.

What is clearer is this: hundreds of thousands of people lost their homes. Many of them initially assumed they would be away for just a few days — but never returned. In total, around 350,000 people had to be resettled in the years following the disaster. Among them were the roughly 50,000 residents of Pripyat, a city founded in 1970 that had been thriving at the time. The power plant was the main employer for its inhabitants. Today, Pripyat is a ghost town — a monument and a warning.

The further consequences and costs were wide-ranging and continue to be felt in part to this day. They range from immediate and clearly visible damage to long-term effects that are difficult to measure:

• Deaths and acute illnesses (in particular radiation sickness)
• Decommissioning, securing, decontamination, construction of the sarcophagus and a double protective shell, continuous and costly monitoring across generations
• Long-term health consequences such as thyroid cancer; health and social programmes for the affected population
• Psychological trauma and stigmatisation
• Ongoing welfare support for those affected (liquidators, evacuees)
• Severe and lasting environmental damage, loss of agricultural production and local economic vitality, economically weakened or structurally marginalised regions
• Demographic effects (population exodus, declining birth rates)
• Political and systemic costs (e.g. loss of public trust)

Depending on the methodology used, the economic and financial damage of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster from 1986 to the present day (2026) is estimated at roughly 180 to over 600 billion Swiss francs. Even forty years on, these costs continue to grow.

Ongoing costs include, for example, expenditure on securing the site, decommissioning, waste management, monitoring of radioactively contaminated areas, and health and social support for those suffering from late effects. To this day, the site is continuously monitored and maintained by staff working in shifts. This will remain necessary for a long time to come.

Yet even today, many people continue to suffer from the health consequences of the disaster, as the example of Nikolai Isaev illustrates. Officially recognised as a Chernobyl invalid, he suffers from numerous conditions. He is currently still receiving treatment for heart problems (angina pectoris and ischaemia), radiation-induced damage to the retina, and type 2 diabetes. He has also had his prostate removed and suffers from hay fever. His wife has breast cancer and thyroid cancer. Many of Isaev’s former colleagues and former residents of Pripyat suffer from similar or identical conditions.

It was against the backdrop of all these grave consequences that Green Cross Switzerland was founded in 1993/94 and our SOCMED programme (“Social and Medical Care and Education”) was established. Owing to the collaboration with Nobel Peace Prize laureate Mikhail Gorbachev, our foundation initially focused on projects in the former Soviet Union and, in particular, on the Chernobyl disaster. The SOCMED programme was established in Belarus in 1995, in Russia in 1998, and in Ukraine in 2000. In the context of the Chernobyl disaster, the programme aims to achieve a lasting improvement in the living conditions of the most severely affected people, particularly children and young people.

The therapeutic camps formed a cornerstone of the SOCMED programme. They were built around a combination of medical, psychological, and social support. In these camps, children and young people with health impairments were cared for and taught by doctors, therapists, teachers, and educators. Alongside medical examinations and nutritious meals, social activities were organised to foster creativity, environmental awareness, and a sense of community.

Looking Ahead

Today, it is above all the economic, psychological, and social consequences of the disaster that remain at the forefront of concern for the population of the affected regions. Moreover, the lives of people in Ukraine — particularly in those areas still most severely affected by Chernobyl — are overshadowed by the ongoing war.

The international community continues to monitor the situation with close attention. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has maintained a continuous on-the-ground presence since the start of the war in Ukraine, in order to oversee the safety of nuclear facilities and alert to emerging risks.

The war in Ukraine makes clear that the risks of nuclear energy are not solely technical in nature. In armed conflicts, nuclear installations themselves become potential sources of danger — whether through direct attack or through power outages that can jeopardise the cooling of reactors.

Since the outbreak of war, the IAEA has recorded numerous safety-related incidents at Ukrainian nuclear facilities. In February 2025, a combat drone tore a hole in the shell of the Chernobyl sarcophagus. Fortunately, this had no effect on radiation levels, but the IAEA warned that prompt and comprehensive repairs were urgently needed. At present, two critical tasks — the containment of radioactive materials and the safe preparation of the decommissioning of unstable structures — can only be carried out incompletely.

Forty years after the Chernobyl disaster, vast areas remain uninhabitable due to radioactive contamination. Many communities continue to face economic hardship and limited prospects for the future. For younger generations in particular, this often means a lack of opportunities and the prospect of leaving.

With our solar programme, we are making an important contribution towards easing the burden of the conflict, as well as helping to shape the future for the people living there — especially younger and future generations.

Why is expanding solar energy a priority measure? For many people, electricity supply has become their greatest concern.

The many war-related power cuts have left Ukraine literally shivering through cold winters. But even now, the electricity supply remains one of the greatest sources of uncertainty in daily life. People are frequently forced to take shelter in air-raid bunkers. If the power also fails there, the situation worsens still further. This is particularly true for the most vulnerable: children, elderly people, the sick, and people with disabilities.

“Some children become frightened immediately. They have experienced explosions. For them, darkness means danger,” says Svitlana Ludanyk, the head of a nursery school in Horodnia.

To help as many people as possible get through power outages, we install solar panels in public facilities such as schools, nurseries, and hospitals. Combined with battery storage systems, these provide a reliable electricity supply for the most pressing needs. In crisis situations, this can make a critical difference — for medical care, the operation of emergency shelters, and the daily lives of families.

To ensure the solar programme achieves the greatest possible impact, we are pursuing the following complementary measures:

• Circular financing through non-profit solar funds: a portion of the savings generated by the solar electricity produced flows into non-profit funds. These resources will be used in future to equip further public facilities with solar panels.
• Awareness-raising and knowledge-sharing: facilities fitted with solar panels hold information events. The aim is to ensure that as many people and businesses as possible are informed about the benefits of solar energy.

Alongside electricity supply, psychological wellbeing remains a central concern. An important focus of our work is therefore the psychological support programme, which now has around 2,000 participants — the great majority of them children and young people — and which we are continually expanding.

Chernobyl is not a closed chapter of history: it shapes our present. That is precisely why it remains essential not only to look back, but to provide concrete responses to the challenges of today. For Green Cross Switzerland, this means acting where the consequences are still being felt, and creating prospects for the future.

In today’s world — shaped by crises, wars, and great risks — it is more important than ever to learn from Chernobyl and act accordingly.

Sources & Further Information:

Background and scientific context

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11896848/

https://www.unscear.org/unscear/en/areas-of-work/chernobyl.html

https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/radiation-the-chernobyl-accident

https://world-nuclear.org/information-library/appendices/rbmk-reactors

https://preparecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/WHO-Health-Effects-Report_9241594179_eng.pdf

https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/chernobyl-s-legacy-health-environmental-and-socio-economic-impacts-and-recommendations-to-thegovernments-of-belarus-the-russian-federation-and-ukraine

Costs of the disaster

Die folgenden Quellen zeigen unterschiedliche methodische Ansätze zur Schätzung der wirtschaftlichen Kosten, weshalb die Angaben variieren:

https://www.un.org/fr/desa/statement-round-table-discussion-identifying-and-mitigating-long-term

https://globalhealth.usc.edu/2016/05/24/the-financial-costs-of-the-chernobyl-nuclear-power-plant-disaster-a-review-of-the-literature/

https://www.greenfacts.org/en/chernobyl/l-3/5-social-economic-impacts.htm

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/article/chernobyl-disaster

Recent developments

https://www.iaea.org/sites/default/files/documents/gov2026-7.pdf

https://www.srf.ch/news/international/ukraine/nukleare-sicherheit-atombehoerde-tschernobyl-schutzhuelle-braucht-dringend-sanierung

In Vietnam, the “Festival of the First Morning” is one of the most important holidays of the year. The multi-day New Year celebration according to the lunar calendar is called Tết Nguyên Đán in Vietnamese, or simply Tet (simplified spelling). The Tet festival centres on family, gratitude and hope. As the celebrations come to an end, a new chapter also begins for the projects of Green Cross Switzerland: thanks to the support of our donors, we will be able to further expand our aid programmes in 2026.

Among other initiatives, we are now working to improve safe drinking water supplies for households in which people with disabilities live. We are doing this in remote communities in Quảng Trị province that urgently need this support, for example in hard-to-reach mountainous regions.

In addition, we are expanding our project activities to Huế province (central Vietnam). Through a targeted combination of measures that fully emphasise help for self-help, we can now also bring lasting improvements to the lives of people with disabilities there. We support orthopaedic care, the construction of accessible and hygienic sanitation facilities, and particularly the sustainable promotion of employment. The aim is to strengthen locally rooted and sustainable income opportunities so that households of people with disabilities can achieve long-term economic independence.

A central focus remains the provision of prostheses (which replace missing limbs), orthoses (which support limbs), and other orthopaedic assistive devices for people with disabilities. This support continues to be urgently needed. The burden of the long-term consequences of the Vietnam War is still strongly felt. Unexploded ordnance and harmful substances remaining in the environment continue to pose a danger. Of particular importance here is the highly toxic dioxin contained in the defoliant Agent Orange. Agent Orange was used between 1965 and 1970 by the United States and its allies.

“Tet is a time of hope. Together with Green Cross Switzerland, we look forward to building inclusive and environmentally responsible communities in Quang Tri and Hue,” says Nguyen Hoang Kha Tu, Project Manager at the partner organisation ACDC.

Learn more about the ongoing projects in Vietnam here.

Image caption:

Ms Nguyen Thi Ha, a woman with a disability from Hue City, prepares her traditional handicrafts for the local spring fair. Her participation highlights the importance of securing livelihoods for people with disabilities and strengthening their economic empowerment.

Over the past few weeks, Green Cross Switzerland (GCCH) has been receiving an increasing number of requests for support with the installation of solar systems in frontline regions such as Sumy, Kharkiv and Chernihiv. These requests come from medical facilities, schools and kindergartens that often have to cope with power outages lasting up to 19 hours.

We would like to show you how profoundly GCCH’s support can improve conditions in such institutions, using the example of the “Lisova Kazka” (“Forest Fairy Tale”) kindergarten in Chernihiv.

As the war in Ukraine has continued, the need for an independent power supply has become critical. Frequent outages pose a particular challenge for kindergartens like Lisova Kazka, as young children are especially vulnerable to the terrors of war and rely even more than adults on warmth and light. It is essential that they can feel safe.

For this reason, we installed a 50 kW solar power system at Lisova Kazka. Around 250 children aged two to six now benefit from it, together with 30 teachers and 37 other staff members. Dependence on the central grid has been significantly reduced. As long as the grid remains operational, the installed batteries can be charged both via solar power and from the grid. The kindergarten therefore has two ways of bridging power cuts.

Why did GCCH decide to support this particular kindergarten?

The city of Chernihiv is under constant attack. Power outages of up to 12 hours are currently commonplace. The surrounding region is also extremely poor and was deeply affected by the Chernobyl disaster long before the war. It is therefore a key focus of our work.

The kindergarten also provides dedicated care for children with special needs, who are often especially sensitive to the psychological impact of the conflict and are taught in a separate group. Other specialist groups support children with speech disorders. Due to frequent air-raid alerts, the children sometimes have to stay in shelters for several hours. Thanks to the renewable-energy solution, they now face these situations with far less fear.

The building itself was damaged during fighting. With the support of the education authorities and various humanitarian organisations, including GCCH, extensive reconstruction work has been carried out: window replacement, modernisation of the heating system, refurbishment of group rooms, and the creation of shelters and a new playground.

Installing the solar system with battery storage was the next logical step towards energy independence, improved safety and sustainable development. Today, the kindergarten can operate without interruption and provide children with warmth, light, balanced meals and a stable learning environment – even during power outages.

For the kindergarten’s director, Nataliia Prymakova, this solution means “the certainty that even on the hardest days we can continue to be there for our children. Solar energy is a pure source of life – it gives our children light, security and hope.”

In addition, the project helps raise environmental awareness within the community and gives the children an early understanding of the importance of renewable energy.

Given the sharply increasing urgency, we are now seeking to expand this effort and equip further vulnerable facilities in frontline regions with renewable-energy solutions. Especially at Christmas time and in the midst of another harsh winter, the solidarity of philanthropists like you becomes a precious beacon of hope – a genuine gift to the people of Ukraine.

The Chernihiv region is one of the poorest in Ukraine, due in part to the long-lasting consequences of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. The ongoing war is placing additional strain on the area, with rocket attacks and frequent power cuts further impacting daily life. This is why the region is a key focus of Green Cross Switzerland’s (GCCH) work.

Many people are unaware of the extent to which the war is harming ecosystems and the climate, causing widespread environmental damage. Vast areas of forest, for example, have been severely affected or destroyed. Reforestation can play a vital role in restoring nature — and not only in the context of war. Even before the conflict, the proportion of Ukraine’s land covered by forest was comparatively low by international standards. Switzerland, for instance, has roughly twice the level of forest cover, in terms of the share of national territory.

That is why, in October 2025, GCCH launched a large-scale reforestation project in the Koriukivka district (Chernihiv region). A total of 100,000 tree seedlings will be planted across 17 hectares — the equivalent of around 24 football pitches — to help restore damaged forest areas and revitalise the region’s ecosystem.

The planting is being carried out in cooperation with the municipality of Koriukivka and forms part of a long-term initiative. The aim is not only to create new forested areas, but also to support further environmental and social projects that contribute to the sustainable development of the region. At the same time, the initiative seeks to strengthen awareness of environmental responsibility.

This awareness-raising is particularly important for children and young people. As part of the reforestation project, they receive reusable water bottles, caps, badges, notebooks and pens made from recycled materials. These serve as reminders that even the smallest contribution to restoring and regenerating nature has great value.

Teachers, volunteers and local residents are also taking part in the initiative. “It’s wonderful to see how small seedlings will one day grow into a large forest,” says a teacher. A resident shares this optimistic outlook: “We have lived through difficult times, but we can see nature recovering alongside us.”

The Mayor of Koriukivka, Ratan Akhmedov, also stresses the importance of the project: “For our community, this is not only an ecological initiative, but also a symbol of renewal and faith in the future.”

Sources & articles for further reading:

• https://www.slu.se/en/news/2025/03/severe-war-damage-to-ukranian-forests
• https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/economic/1064480.html
• https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13280-025-02263-0?
• https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/AG.LND.FRST.ZS?most_recent_value_desc=true

An Exceptional Project Partner

Today, we would like to share the story of a man affected by Agent Orange who, despite the most difficult circumstances, has managed to lead a full and meaningful life.

Nguyen Ngoc Phuong was born on 6 April 1981 in the village of Chau Son 1, Que An commune, near Mount Duong La in Quang Nam province.

He was born prematurely at under seven months, weighing just 800 grams and measuring less than 20 centimetres – around a quarter of the weight of an average newborn and less than half the typical length.

Phuong spent his childhood on a hillside surrounded by dense, shadowy vegetation. While other children went to school, he was frequently ill. His frailty and very small size made learning impossible. Some parents even forbade their children from playing with him – the boy who spent his days confined within four walls.

At that time, no one understood the cause of his disability. Many believed it to be a curse – punishment for the supposed misdeeds of his ancestors in a previous life. Rejection by the community and a sense of hopelessness were the family’s constant companions.

In 1987, Phuong’s younger sister, Nguyen Thi Hieu, was born – also with a disability. The family lived in extreme poverty. Though devastated, the parents refused to give up on their children.

They were determined to do everything they could to find treatment and offer them a future.

When Phuong was around nine or ten years old, he could no longer sleep at night. He would hear his mother coughing endlessly and felt deep compassion for her. One day, some of his father’s former comrades came to visit and told him: “You were exposed to Agent Orange. That’s why your children are disabled.”

At that moment, Phuong wanted to die, simply to end his mother’s suffering. Yet he also knew he could not abandon her – the woman who had loved and protected him all those years.

At the age of eleven, he made a decision: to leave his village, become independent, and change his life.

The path towards independence

The love of his parents – along with the pain and rejection he experienced – gave Phuong the strength to leave for the city to learn a trade.

Because of his short stature, no one was willing to take him on at first. So he began observing how lighters were refilled at petrol stations. With the money he had received as a Lunar New Year gift, he bought a few tools and an empty lighter and began refilling those of his neighbours and his father.

As a teenager, he trained to become a watchmaker.

At around 19 or 20 years old, Phuong travelled to Ho Chi Minh City to start an apprenticeship in an electronics workshop. When the owner saw the neatly dressed young man, he called to his wife, joking: “Darling, there’s an alien here – do you think I should take him on as an apprentice?”

After a trial period, the owner handed him twelve boxes filled with different screws. Phuong carefully sorted them all. Impressed, the man said: “What I need is your mind, not your body.”

He offered Phuong a proper apprenticeship – with the same pay as everyone else. Phuong stayed with him for ten years.

Despite all the hardships, Phuong is now a teacher, thanks to his determination and perseverance. He teaches and mentors dozens of children who, like him, have faced hardship and discrimination.

A life of courage

The lives and unshakeable will of Nguyen Ngoc Phuong and his sister, Nguyen Thi Hieu, powerfully demonstrate how, even in the most difficult circumstances, people can find hope and the strength to move forward.

Today, Phuong cares for victims of Agent Orange as well as disadvantaged children and young people at a day centre in Da Nang. The centre, supported by Green Cross Switzerland and run by DAVA (“Da Nang Association for Victims of Agent Orange”), provides a place of safety, learning, and hope.

Not everyone has his strength – and that’s where we come in

The positive turn in Phuong’s life would not have been possible for many others in a similar situation. It was only through his willpower, intelligence, and the unwavering love of his parents that he succeeded.

Yet many other victims of Agent Orange still wait in vain for the help they so desperately need, and their lives often take a tragic course.

For more than 25 years, Green Cross Switzerland has been working in Vietnam in a range of different ways to ensure that these people are not forgotten and receive the support they deserve. Thanks to the solidarity of our donors, we can continue to transform lives – for good.

The photo in this article was taken by Roland Schmid.

Today, 10 October, we mark the 34th World Mental Health Day. This day was first established in 1992 on the initiative of the World Federation for Mental Health, a global organisation with members and partners in over 150 countries.

For Green Cross Switzerland (GCCH), this occasion serves as a reminder of the dramatic global situation surrounding mental health, giving us an opportunity to highlight our commitment in this crucial field. It is reasonable to assume that the mental well-being of mankind has not improved over the past few years, or has even worsened. There are many reasons. A painful reality is that young people in particular are especially affected by mental health issues. According to UNICEF, the impact of war and violence on children has reached unprecedented levels worldwide.

In less affluent countries and regions—where organisations such as GCCH are active—millions of people in urgent need of psychological support still wait in vain for help. One of the main drivers of mental distress is the sheer number of man-made disasters: current events such as the war in Ukraine, as well as those from the past such as the Chernobyl nuclear disaster (1986) and the Vietnam War (1955–75). Tragically, even these past events continue to have severe and highly relevant consequences decades later. GCCH contributes as much as possible to addressing these long-term effects.

Our psychological support programme in Ukraine was launched at the beginning of 2024. It is designed to operate over the long term and is continuing to expand. As of October 2025, more than 1,000 people are receiving care at four different locations. The majority are children and adolescents—reflecting the fact that these victims are particularly vulnerable to the psychological strain and trauma caused by the horrors of war.

To illustrate how urgently this support is needed and the impact it can have, here are a few examples:

• Kherson: An eight-year-old boy receiving psychological support often burst into tears for no apparent reason—while playing or during therapy. When asked, “What’s wrong?”, he answered, “We’re all going to die—they’re going to kill us.” In a safe, supportive setting, he worked individually with a therapist to confront his fears. Gradually, his anxiety subsided. He began to smile again and now reacts more calmly to loud noises.
• Novhorod-Siverskyi: Tatiana, 62, sought help from our psychologist. Six months earlier, her son-in-law had died in the war, and she didn’t know how to support her daughter and five-year-old grandson in coping with their grief. Through psychological counselling, Tatiana learned to give space to her daughter’s and grandson’s mourning, to talk about the man they had lost without fear, and to create small remembrance rituals. Her daughter was also supported by the psychologist. Step by step, the family learned to process their loss and to remember their loved one with affection rather than pain.
• Chernihiv: A five-year-old girl had to flee her home with her brother and mother. In her new kindergarten, she refused to speak, play, or eat. She deeply missed her father, who had stayed behind. Slowly, with the support of caring adults, a psychologist, and new friends, she began to laugh again and rediscovered the joy of life. Today, she eagerly takes part in group sessions, is more communicative, and learns through creative activities how she can deal with her emotions.

Further information about the psychological support programme in Ukraine is available here.

In the Vietnamese province of Quang Tri, we support people with disabilities—often referred to as PWDs. Their disabilities are largely due to exposure to Agent Orange and other long-term consequences of the Vietnam War, such as unexploded bombs and landmines. These consequences remain particularly pronounced in Quang Tri.

Because of physical, psychological, and social factors, people with disabilities are at higher risk of mental distress—whilst at the same time facing greater barriers to psychological support.

All these factors combine to affect the mental well-being of PWDs, many of whom suffer from chronic stress, anxiety, and persistent sadness.

Just as in Ukraine, it is crucial to identify the risk factors for mental disorders early and implement appropriate measures. This can improve overall health, prevent long-term damage, and reduce pressure on public health systems.

Many affected individuals struggle with fear, social isolation, and low self-esteem and confidence. In addition, widespread misunderstandings and prejudices about disability and mental health persist in society. For example, people with intellectual disabilities or mental illnesses are often wrongly labelled as “crazy,” leading many to withdraw in order to avoid being stigmatised.

Financial strain poses another major challenge: treatment, medication, rehabilitation, transportation, and living expenses are costly. Moreover, the necessary knowledge and skills for effective care are often lacking.

To provide urgently needed relief, since the end of 2024 GCCH has been working with our partner organisation ACDC (“Action to the Community Development Institute”). The project involves a wide range of activities:

Training: Local healthcare professionals—some of whom are PWDs themselves—receive comprehensive training in mental health and the psychological needs of people with disabilities. They acquire the skills needed to provide psychological counselling and support. They also learn to use screening tools to identify individuals and families who may be struggling with mental health issues. Finally, they are equipped to facilitate group sessions that promote empowerment and mutual support for PWDs. Peer counselling is particularly valuable, as PWDs are often best placed to understand one another’s experiences.

Collaborative partnerships: Many other stakeholders are involved in the project, including the provincial health ministry, the provincial PWD organisation, the general hospital, the provincial disease control centre, district health centres, a multidisciplinary mental health support group, and psychology specialists.

Screening and assessment: PWDs and their families are examined by trained professionals for potential mental disorders, first through an initial screening (level 1), followed by a detailed assessment (level 2). The resulting insights guide the provision of tailored psychological support.

Counselling and empowerment: In self-help group sessions led by trained professionals, participants share their daily experiences and challenges in a safe environment. They learn to express emotions, manage stress, communicate effectively, and strengthen social connections. They also develop coping strategies tailored to their individual needs. In severe cases, participants are referred to specialised treatment facilities.

Public awareness: Public events are organised to raise awareness of mental health among PWDs, their families, and the general public. The first event is planned for late October 2025. Such events provide basic knowledge on mental health and self-help, while creating opportunities for interaction, experience sharing, encouragement, and emotional support. In this way, we seek to strengthen social cohesion and community support networks.

Results & Key Figures of GCCH Psychological Support Projects (as of the end of September 2025):

Ukraine (since early 2024):

• Chernihiv: Psychological support for 488 children
• Kherson: Psychological support for 16 children
• Sosnyzja: Psychological support for 160 children
• Novhorod-Siverskyi: Group therapy with 122 adolescents and 228 adults, and individual therapy with 5 children, 21 adolescents, and 58 adults

Vietnam (since late 2024):

• Late 2024 – early 2025: In a “Training of Trainers” course, four people with disabilities were trained as peer counsellors. Over the coming years, they will be able to support many others effectively. The follow-on peer counselling allowed 20 individuals to receive one-on-one support. Ongoing contact ensures further assistance when needed.
• 2025 (ongoing): Peer counselling in self-help groups and individual sessions with 58 participants so far.
• May 2025: Professional meeting with health-sector partners to finalise the project implementation plan.
• July/August 2025: Two consecutive training sessions with 70 participants, including peer counsellors (PWDs), village health aides, and members of the multidisciplinary mental health group (representatives from the provincial disease control centre, hospital, medical college, village health association, and the school for children with disabilities).
• September 2025: Detailed mental-health screening of 90 PWDs and their families. Based on this, a psychological support handbook is expected to be completed by November 2025.

Sources:

• https://www.ipsos.com/de-ch/axa-mind-health-report-die-psychische-gesundheit-verschlechtert-sich-weltweit-weiter
• https://www.who.int/news/item/02-09-2025-over-a-billion-people-living-with-mental-health-conditions-services-require-urgent-scale-up
• https://www.unicef.de/informieren/aktuelles/presse/-/2024-kinder-in-konflikten/369196

Aid distribution on the occasion of Agent Orange Remembrance Day: Helping vulnerable people in Đắk Lắk Province, southern Vietnam

On 10 August, Vietnam once again marked Agent Orange Remembrance Day – a moment to stand in solidarity with those still suffering from the long-lasting consequences of using this chemical during the Vietnam War.

Agent Orange, a highly toxic defoliant, was sprayed on a large scale between 1965 and 1970. Its effects are still felt today: severe and chronic illnesses, physical and mental disabilities, and congenital malformations – often passed down through generations.

In rural areas, many families remain affected, particularly in Xã Ea Kly in Đắk Lắk Province in southern Vietnam. Most live in difficult economic circumstances, often without a stable income, have limited access to healthcare, and the care of their affected relatives consumes much of their already scarce resources.

The Charity Project Krong Buk (CPKB), humanitarian partner of Green Cross Switzerland (GCCH) in Vietnam, is committed to providing practical, hands-on support. On the occasion of the Remembrance Day, 150 families confirmed to be suffering from the long-term effects of Agent Orange received essential food parcels.

Each parcel contained staple goods such as rice, noodles, cooking oil, fish sauce, and beans. Hygiene items were also included, offering additional relief. The distribution took place on 8 August at the Xã Ea Kly community hall. Local government representatives and members of the VAVA (Vietnam Association for Victims of Agent Orange) welcomed the families and expressed their gratitude to the project’s supporters.

For GCCH, this day is not just about remembrance – it is an opportunity to take action, raise awareness, and show real solidarity. It reminds us that the past still casts a shadow over the present, and that we have a duty to support innocent victims in need.

Through this initiative, our aim is not only to meet urgent needs, but also to draw attention to an issue that is too often forgotten internationally.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all donors, volunteers, and partners who made this aid possible. Their solidarity proves that beyond big cities, and despite a lack of media coverage, human compassion can achieve remarkable things.

Working alongside CPKB, GCCH will continue to support those affected. A new initiative is already being prepared, with the same goal of providing sustainable assistance and improving quality of life over the long term.

We remain committed to building a future where no one is left to face the consequences of Agent Orange alone.

Further links:

Website of the Charity Project Krong Buk

Interview with our project partner and CPKB Director, Peter Jenni

At the start of 2024, Green Cross Switzerland launched a pilot project to provide psychological support to those affected by the war in Ukraine (more information here). The need was, and continues to be, extremely high. Although many kindergartens resumed operations at that time, the consequences of the war continued to have a profound impact on people’s lives. Children, in particular, experienced severe psychological distress, including heightened anxiety, extreme reactions to air raid sirens, and clear signs of mental exhaustion.

Starting in Chernihiv
Our pilot project began in a kindergarten in Chernihiv, attended by around 250 children. Even there, it was immediately evident how significant the need for psychological support was. The positive feedback from parents, combined with the scale and urgency of the challenges, reinforced our decision to expand the initiative.

Expansion to Schools, Adolescents and Adults
The next phase of the project led us to start working in schools in Novhorod-Siverskyi, with a particular focus on adolescents, who are especially vulnerable to the psychological pressures of war. It was not long before we also received requests for help from adults, many of whom were displaying symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder or suffering from acute anxiety.

In response, we established a psychological counselling room in Novhorod-Siverskyi. It offers individual counselling, especially for adults, along with regular group sessions for teenagers and young adults. Cancer patients also receive psychological support at this location.

In May 2025, we opened a further centre at the Education and Rehabilitation Centre in Sosnytsya. Here, children with disabilities, autism, or other special needs are supported in a safe and tailored environment designed to meet their individual requirements.

A Long-Term Commitment
What began as a pilot project has evolved into a long-term support programme. The initiative focuses on those directly affected by the consequences of war, particularly children, adolescents, and internally displaced persons. We aim is to alleviate psychological distress, enhance emotional well-being, and promote social inclusion.

Given the continuing elevated level of need, the programme is being steadily expanded – the next step is to establish a psychological counselling service in the port city of Odessa.

Art Therapy as a Core Approach
Art therapy plays a central role in our work. Within a safe and nurturing environment, children are encouraged to express their emotions creatively, helping them to process their painful experiences and build inner resilience and psychological stability. All services are delivered by a professional, interdisciplinary team of psychologists and art therapists, tailored to the individual and age-specific needs of each participant.

Current Figures (as of end of May 2025)

• Chernihiv: Psychological support provided to 438 children
• Kherson: Psychological support provided to 16 children
• Sosnytsya: Psychological support provided to 99 children
• Novhorod-Siverskyi:
  • Group therapy for 63 adolescents and 107 adults
  • Individual therapy for 4 children, 7 adolescents, and 26 adults