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

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.

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.

It is his love for Vietnam and its people that drives Peter Jenni’s philanthropic work. The Swiss national, who has been living in Vietnam since December 2016, founded the Charity Project Krong Buk (CPKB) together with his wife Tran Thi Hiep. Based in Switzerland, the charity has been providing valuable social support to people in need since 2020. Among them are a large number of victims suffering from the long-term effects of Agent Orange used in the Vietnam War. Many of them have severe mental or physical disabilities. This is also the focus of its cooperation with GCCH, which was established two years ago. This cooperation is a valuable addition to GCCH’s other projects in Vietnam. The CPKB brings real, practical help, joy and hope to the lives of people who are dependent on support. Wherever possible, it also paves the way for them to independently improve their living conditions.

In this interview, we would like to introduce Peter Jenni and the work of the CPKB, which we support, to our donors and other interested parties. The questions were asked by GCCH employee and historian Samuel Müller-Zwahlen.

Dear Peter, who are you? How would you describe yourself and your life so far?
Put simply: I’m a “Seebueb” [man of the lakes]. Others are better placed to describe me, but I’d say I’m a person with two homelands. On one hand, I’m a committed Swiss citizen. On the other, I’ve deliberately chosen Vietnam as my second home and hope to spend the second half of my life here.

 Back to the lakes.  I was born in the Zurich district of Seebach [“Lakebrook” – the name was a sign], but spent most of my childhood and youth in Rüschlikon on Lake Zurich. This had a profound influence on me. Rüschlikon had an independent youth centre, and I was on its steering committee from a young age. Later, I got married, and my two sons, Marc and Jan, were born in 1990 and 1992. They grew up by Lake Walen, where we lived for more than 20 years.

I felt drawn to water in Vietnam, too – I wanted a house by the sea. That didn’t work out for two reasons: firstly, coastal properties were expensive, and secondly, I was concerned about climate change – rising sea levels and more frequent storms. I experienced a storm first-hand in the coastal city of Nha Trang, where I initially lived, and decided it wasn’t feasible. Then my wife found a beautiful plot of land by a lake – and so once again, I ended up living by a lake.

So that’s clear: lakes are where you truly feel at home.
Yes! Even today, whenever I see a lake, I pause for a while. Lakes give me a sense of stability. I’m drawn to the view into the distance – not infinite, but far-reaching.

How did you end up in Vietnam?
It’s a bit of a long story. For 20 years, I worked part-time in public relations for the Food Inspection and Veterinary Office in St. Gallen. The other half of my time I spent running my company, TEXTartelier. I also took part in mountain bike races. Eventually, it all became too much – I was on the verge of burnout. Fortunately, I got help in time. My therapist advised me to take a longer break. The canton of St. Gallen supported this. I used the time to go cycling – at a slower pace. Looking at a map, I came across Vietnam, a country I had never visited. So, I planned a cycling tour from the north to the south.

 After about six weeks, I arrived in Nha Trang – and realised I wanted to live in Vietnam. I was taken by the climate and the cheerful people. Life here seemed simpler than in Switzerland, and for that reason, happier.

So, based in a hotel in Saigon, I planned my emigration. It turned out to be quite straightforward. During that time, I also met my wife. I returned to Switzerland for a year to say goodbye and get ready for the move.

In the meantime, however, I was diagnosed with tongue cancer. I had to undergo surgery and radiotherapy. I told the doctors, “Do what you need to do, but by the end of the year, I’m going to Vietnam.” One of the doctors – a chain smoker with an impressive beard – asked me what I’d eat there, considering the limitations caused by my illness. I replied, “I’ll eat beer and drink wine!” That convinced him. These days, I’m managing well. Medical care here is good – but sadly, only for those who can afford it.

Are there any particular things that fascinate you about Vietnam? What bothers you? How would you describe the country to someone in Switzerland who’s never been there?
With a few exceptions – like dealing with authorities – life in Vietnam is noticeably more relaxed. People are generally very open, cheerful and helpful. In Switzerland, people aren’t used to strangers striking up conversations. In Vietnam, that’s completely normal.

Another thing I appreciate is that you rarely need to worry about your phone or wallet being stolen. But you do need to be careful when asking questions – instead of saying “I don’t know,” people might give you an incorrect answer. They simply don’t want to admit they don’t know something.

People here work hard and don’t think much about whether it’s a Saturday or Sunday. Yet they also make time for socialising, especially in rural areas. You’re almost never alone. Several generations often live under one roof, which is not just tradition but often essential for survival. Many elderly people rely on their children for support. Retirement homes are rare, and pensions are low – if they exist at all.

In the cities, particularly in high-end hotels, you meet people who are better off. They can sometimes be ostentatious – often like nouveaux riches.

What saddens me is the poverty. For someone in my position, it’s impossible not to notice.

And you’ve committed yourself to addressing it. How did the Krong Buk Charity Project come about?
When I set off in the morning on my motorbike – to get a coffee, for example – I was often in a bad mood. Then I’d encounter the Ede people, an ethnic minority who live nearby, often in one-room longhouses built in swampy, muddy areas. I’d see children covered in dirt but full of laughter. Their joy was infectious. I asked myself: why are they so happy – and why am I, Peter Jenni, such a grump? I felt a powerful urge to give something back to the children.

My wife asked the local council what these children needed. We learned that many families couldn’t afford school supplies – books, stationery, or schoolbags. They have to pay for everything themselves, including school uniforms. Children whose families cannot afford these uniforms are excluded from certain school events. Also, the school system is built around private tuition, which teachers use to supplement their low salaries. Families must pay for that too.

 So, my wife contacted the schools. We started by funding schoolbags and books. It quickly became clear we needed a formal structure for our support. That’s when I decided to establish a charitable association in Appenzell, Switzerland. I also reached out to contacts I had in Switzerland.

And what happened next?
The first donations came in quickly, and so did more requests for help. Since then, we’ve been supporting people in need in our region of Đắk Lắk. We never give out cash, only practical aid, always in cooperation with the local community, schools, the Women’s Union or the Communist Youth Union. Without these partners, our work wouldn’t be effective – we couldn’t do all the background checks ourselves.

How do you evaluate the impact of your aid and safeguard it for the future?
We ourselves assess whether our support is appropriate. Some families affected by Agent Orange already receive support from other sources. In such cases, we prioritise those who need us more.

We’ve also had success with ‘helping people to help themselves’. For instance, we provide families with a cow, that we continue to own, and receive a share of the proceeds. We cover costs like veterinary care. This model has been running for a year now and we’ve already seen the first returns. The recipients become active participants, not just beneficiaries. They take responsibility and actively work to improve their own situation.

How did your collaboration with GCCH begin?
When I set up the charity, I needed board members. My dear friend, pastor and GCCH staff member Jakob Vetsch came to mind. I was the first journalist to write about his online pastoral care, about 30 years ago. Also, [GCCH founder] Roland Wiederkehr was my primary school teacher in Uitikon-Waldegg. I always kept an eye on his work, though we lost touch after school.

The issue of Agent Orange ties directly into GCCH’s mission, and through our collaboration, I’ve come to appreciate just how dedicated and effective your work is. It’s remarkable how much can be achieved with modest donations – for example, 300 Swiss francs can fund a daycare place for a severely affected child for a whole year, enabling relatives to work and escape poverty.

You’ve hinted at your motivation – could you expand on that?
Around 50% of the Ede people are illiterate. I firmly believe education is the first and most important step out of poverty. That’s why we focus so heavily on schools. Even a simple calculator costing 8 Swiss francs – something a family might not afford – can make a world of difference. Education empowers children to support their families, sometimes by finding work in a city. That’s a key motivation for me.

Just recently, we handed out school backpacks again – the joy was overwhelming. The children were so grateful for the chance to simply go to school. Things we take for granted can mean the world to them.

Are there any other successful projects you’d like to highlight?
Yes, in addition to the example of our work with schools, I am thinking of food deliveries for people in extreme need, which we are able to provide thanks to GCCH. I would like to illustrate this with the example of a woman in her eighties. Her daughter, in her forties, is severely affected by Agent Orange and requires constant care and assistance. She can only lie on the bed or on the floor. When I first saw her, she just screamed – it was very hard to bear. But then I was told that she was actually very happy about my visit. The woman’s daughter cannot be cared for in a nursing home. The elderly mother has to both work and care for her disabled child. For 40 Swiss francs, we can support them for an entire month with essential food supplies – a small investment that makes a big difference.

It is also incredibly valuable that we are able to identify people affected by Agent Orange and arrange medical assessments and support for them. In this area, we work closely not only with GCCH, but also with organisations such as DAVA (Da Nang Association for Victims of Agent Orange).

What has had the deepest emotional impact on you?
Meeting people with severe disabilities. It’s difficult to take in, but also deeply rewarding to be able to help in a tangible way. As I’ve said, the joy and gratitude of these individuals are so moving. Their happiness can be hard for outsiders to understand, but their families often assure me that they truly are happy.

And your biggest challenge so far?
Raising enough donations for the projects. Beyond that, we’re managing well. My wife organises supplies, and I focus on fundraising. Together, we plan and implement the aid projects.

One issue that needs more attention is littering – it’s a serious problem here. Education could help instil greater environmental responsibility, especially among the younger generation.

What are your hopes for the future?
First, I’d like to thank GCCH. The collaboration is incredibly valuable – it strengthens my bond to Switzerland while making a real difference here in Vietnam.

My hope is that the work continues uninterrupted and that we can keep supporting one another.

We can only thank you in return. It’s a privilege to work with trusted local partners who share our values and in whom we are confident.
 I feel the same – and I’m looking forward to our future cooperation!

We are too, Peter – thank you for taking the time to share your experiences and perspectives with us – it’s been a truly enriching conversation!

A cautionary tale: this is what the Vietnam War represents for our present day, marked by crises and conflicts. Its history serves as a stark reminder of the devastating long-term consequences of war and how suffering often persists for generations long after the fighting has ceased.

This year, 30 April marks the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. Over the past half-century, the consequences for the Vietnamese population have remained severe. The war’s impact on social conditions and the psychological wellbeing of the people is still deeply felt. To this day, countless landmines and unexploded bombs remain hidden beneath the ground, instilling fear and continuing to cause serious injuries, maiming and loss of life. Furthermore, the use of the defoliant Agent Orange by the US Air Force and allies of the U.S. between 1965 and 1970 continues to have fatal repercussions.

Children are still being born with severe physical and mental disabilities as a direct result of Agent Orange exposure, now affecting the fourth generation, with no end in sight. Unfortunately, efforts to provide effective assistance to those affected remain inadequate. This is where Green Cross Switzerland (GCCH) has been actively engaged in Vietnam since 1998. One key focus is the regular provision of orthopaedic aids for individuals affected by Agent Orange. For many, these prosthetic limbs and orthotic devices are essential for leading an independent life and integrating into society. However, such aids are often unaffordable and are not covered by health insurance.

This year, GCCH is not only expanding its aid projects in Vietnam but also bringing greater visibility to its efforts. Swiss television audiences could witness the impact of our projects in a report on the SRF 1 programme “mitenand” on Sunday, 23 March at 7.15pm (now available here, in German). The programme highlights how prostheses funded by GCCH have fundamentally and positively transformed the life of a nine-year-old Vietnamese boy named Quyet. His story is just one example of how we have been able to support thousands of affected individuals – thanks to our valued project partners and donors.

GCCH is also involved in the exhibition “War Without End: The Toxic Legacy of the Vietnam War – 50 Years On”:

• 18 April – 11 May
• Photobastei Zurich (photobastei.ch)
• Further information Ӏ directions from Zurich main station
• Free admission
• Opening hours: Wednesday and Sunday: 12pm – 6pm; Thursday – Saturday: 12pm – 9pm

We warmly invite anyone interested to attend the vernissage on 17 April at 6pm. This event presents a great opportunity to engage with Green Cross representatives, experience the exhibition with us and learn more about our ongoing work in Vietnam. We look forward to welcoming you!

The exhibition features powerful images captured by award-winning photographer Roland Schmid, who has a long-standing collaboration with our partner, freelance journalist, photographer and filmmaker Peter Jaeggi. Jaeggi’s work includes the informative and deeply moving book “Krieg ohne Ende. Chemiewaffen im Vietnamkrieg, Agent Orange und andere Kriegsverbrechen” (War without End: Chemical Weapons in the Vietnam War, Agent Orange and Other War Crimes). We highly recommend reading this book – find out more here.

Further links:

• Information about the exhibition on the Photobastei website
• Website of Roland Schmid
• Website of Peter Jaeggi
• Interview with Peter Jaeggi about his book “Krieg ohne Ende” (War without End)

The photograph featured in this article was taken by Roland Schmid.

The team of Green Cross Switzerland met Dr. Daniel Hueskes and his son Benjamin Hueskes. The two orthopaedists gave insights into their voluntary activities: provision of orthopaedic aids and surgical treatment for children and young adults with disabilities.

Prior to his first journey to Vietnam in 2003, Daniel Hueskes asked his son: «Benjamin, what do you think? Should I do that? » He answered: «Yes, but then you have to give up your holidays. » This is how 22 years ago the cooperation with Green Cross Switzerland began.

Great emphasis was placed on the sustainability of the orthopaedic projects. Based on the experience on a different project, where 30 children were provided with orthoses, only to discover upon the follow-up that none of the aids were on the children’s legs anymore, Daniel Hueskes said to himself in the year 2003:

«No, never again! I want to involve local orthopaedists or orthopaedic doctors, and that the provision is carried out with materials from Vietnam. It is not sufficient to simply use highly technical material. Help for self-help needs to be promoted».

It is important to renew children’s orthoses and prostheses after one year because of children’s rapid growth. «When the person who made the prosthesis is already on site, then they can complete the prosthesis accordingly and make a new cast», says Daniel Hueskes.

Benjamin Hueskes adds: «That is of course the whole point: training the people in Vietnam in such a way so that they can do the fitting themselves, even when we aren’t there. This has already been done before. We just offer support and conduct training. We don’t take stuff from Switzerland. It doesn’t work that way that they request us to make casts and we bring them there. No, we do it together on-site. We support and advise them, but in principle they can do it themselves».

For the most part, the required orthoses and prostheses are produced in Vietnam. This is important because various factors, such as humidity, must be considered. Only in exceptional cases, the Basel-based orthopaedists bring something to Vietnam. Currently they are preparing for a fitting for a young woman. She has no shinbone and  the bones are shortened (verkürzte Knochen). Without a prosthesis she walks on her joint. During the Corona pandemic, she received prostheses, which, however, are very heavy, weighing 3.5 kg. For the first time, she managed to get a job and is happy to lead a self-determined life. Yet, she always has to wear these heavy prostheses at work. In this particular case, two prosthetic foot fittings (Prothesenfüsse-Passteile) will be brought from Switzerland. They are at least one and a half kilos lighter, which will make the young women’s life much easier.

«I wanted to know whether he wanted to live»

Over the course of their voluntary work, Daniel und Benjamin Hueskes have met many people with difficult fates. We asked whether there was a case among the people whom they have met so far in Vietnam, which they remember particularly vividly. “Yes,” Daniel Hueskes answered with deep emotion.

Dr. Daniel Hueskes

Already in the 1960s, when thalidomide-related deformities started to surge, Daniel Hueskes had developed and built pioneering orthopaedic aids for children with deformed or missing limbs.

The use of the sleeping pill and tranquilliser, thalidomide, led to a surge of severe deformities and missing limbs and organs in newborns.

Solar energy is not a new topic in Ukraine, but has become increasingly important in the country in recent years. This is according to a joint status report published in 2021 by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and the Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century (REN21). The study examined renewable energy in 17 countries in Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia and Southeast Europe between 2017 and 2021. It is noted that the capacity of renewable energy in the region has increased significantly (by 21 gigawatts = 1 billion watts, to 106 GW), with photovoltaics accounting for the largest increase at 58%. The authors note that renewable energy has seen particularly strong growth in Ukraine.

Ukraine on the right track, but there is still room for expansion

Of the 17 countries (including Ukraine, Russia and Kazakhstan), the increase in wind and solar energy was highest in Ukraine with more than 8 GW. With the equivalent of 3.4 billion US dollars, the country ranked 17th worldwide in terms of investment in renewable energy. Solar energy is being promoted domestically on open spaces and also in private households. However, public and private investment in the region is rather modest. While investments in green energy in the EU, for example, amounted to more than USD 55 billion in 2018, the funds invested in renewable energy in the region under review amounted to around USD 7.2 billion in the same year. According to the UNECE, Ukraine is also still heavily dependent on fossil fuels, which accounted for 70% of the primary energy supply in 2020.

Russian invasion of Ukraine and damage to infrastructure

The invasion of Ukraine by the Russian army also severely restricted the production of renewable energy. According to the report, 90% of the previous wind energy capacity and 30% of the solar capacity was no longer in operation in June 2022.

The targeted destruction of infrastructure therefore not only affected the Ukrainian energy sector, but also health and educational facilities in particular. By October 2023, more than 4,000 educational institutions and healthcare facilities had been damaged and more than 150,000 residential buildings destroyed. It is therefore obvious that the power supply is also at great risk.

Restoring the power supply through photovoltaics is therefore also an opportunity for the country. However, the war does not currently permit any further development of the solar industry in Ukraine, which must focus primarily on survival. Support for Ukraine in maintaining solar energy is already being driven forward. For example, the German Solar Industry Association (BSW) has supported a photovoltaic system on the roof of a school in Irpin under the “Solar helps” fundraising campaign. In addition, the BSW, together with SolarPower Europe and the Ukrainian Solar Energy Association (ASEU), has set itself the goal of using solar energy to counteract the recurring power cuts in schools and hospitals caused by the war with further fundraising campaigns.

Potential scenario for renewable energy supply by 2050

The UNECE estimates the potential of bioenergy, hydropower, solar and wind energy in Ukraine to be particularly high and these could be the building blocks of Ukraine’s energy system in the future, contributing around 80% of total energy production by 2050. The challenge of implementing major investments and strategies in a targeted manner remains, especially after the war has ended. However, it is clear that, together with nuclear energy, renewable energies can lead Ukraine to a carbon-neutral future.

Green Cross Switzerland’s commitment to renewable energies

A sustainable approach to our planet based on scientific knowledge has been important to Green Cross Switzerland since its foundation and has become even more important in recent years. That is why we are planning to specifically promote and support renewable energy supply in Ukraine next year, 2024. The aim is to support the population with renewable energy in areas directly affected by the war and the region close to the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.

Further information can be found here:

Since 2004, Swiss orthopaedists and doctors have been working on a voluntary basis in cooperation with Green Cross Switzerland to help those affected by “Agent Orange” and usually travel to Vietnam once or twice a year. The Swiss specialists work closely with local specialists, train them and share their experiences. The specialist knowledge is also imparted by the Swiss experts at the training center for orthopaedic technicians (Vietcot) in Hanoi. Green Cross Switzerland supports the team of experts with infrastructure, materials and logistics.

Another trip to Vietnam was organized in autumn 2023, in which the orthopaedic specialists Dr. med. h.c. Daniel Hueskes and Benjamin Hueskes and the physicians Dr. Jiri Skarvan and Dr. Christiane Brinkmann took part. They also visited the Vietcot during a two-week stay. The doctors carried out medical histories, examinations and treatments, primarily on children and adolescents. The extended visit also allowed local specialist staff to be instructed accordingly. In addition to visiting the Vietcot, the team also visited local hospitals in Hanoi and Thai Nguyen.

Help on site

During this time, 11 patients from the Vietcot and 15 patients from the children’s hospital in Vinh who suffered from cerebral palsy or other musculoskeletal disorders or had clubfeet were successfully examined by the Swiss specialists. As the transfer of knowledge at Vietcot (training center) plays a central role in the professionalization of healthcare staff, orthopaedic technicians and nurses in training also took part in the examinations. In addition, Benjamin Hueskes (CPO-D) and Cedric Pischel (OT) organized a prosthesis seminar for orthopaedic technicians. During the five-day seminar, five patients were fitted with prostheses by the participants. In Thai Nyguen, in addition to the 21 examinations, 9 operations were carried out and 4 children were fitted with prostheses and orthoses.

The cooperation with the volunteer team of experts is particularly valuable for Green Cross Switzerland. In addition to helping the people affected by Agent Orange, the team also serves as a link to local partners or health facilities and the international transfer of knowledge. Green Cross Switzerland would like to express its sincere thanks for the many years of cooperation and looks forward to Dr. med. h.c. Daniel Hueskes and Dr. med. Dr. h.c. Claude Müller into the patronage in October 2023.

The destruction of (critical) infrastructure has steadily increased since the Russian invasion in February 2022. As a result of the acts of war, private houses, apartments or publicly accessible infrastructure such as shopping centers, bridges or roads are (un)intentionally damaged time and again. The destruction of the Kakhovka dam near Kherson is a tragic example of the disabling of critical infrastructure.

Much of the destruction and damage to infrastructure takes place near the fronts in the east and southeast of the country. However, areas away from the war zones are also repeatedly hit; in Kiev, for example, missiles struck in June. Russian attacks not only kill people and animals directly, but also damage the respective infrastructure. Moreover, reconstruction is costly and regional authorities cannot always cover all the damage, which is why people are also dependent on aid.

Green Cross Switzerland’s contribution for the renewed repair of infrastructure.

The destruction of (critical) infrastructure in Ukraine is also a key issue for Green Cross Switzerland. In its work in Ukraine, the foundation focuses on the repair of infrastructure and the delivery of items for everyday life, in addition to the delivery of systems for the purification of drinking water and humanitarian goods. In the spring, a boat engine was provided to the rescuers of the Novhorod-Siverskyj State Service for Emergency Situations. The technical infrastructure helped rescue victims of the floods in the northeast of the country. During the summer, more than 200 children in the Kherson and Mikolayiv regions also received backpacks for everyday school life, and destroyed windows were financed with the support of Green Cross Switzerland. Further assistance is being planned at this time.

The reconstruction of the infrastructures in Ukraine will take several years. Therefore, Green Cross Switzerland has set itself the goal to also help with the reconstruction in the future.

Learn more about the topic here: