Tết Nguyên Đán (meaning “Festival of the First Morning”), also known as Tet Festival, is the most important Vietnamese holiday and takes place on February 10 this year. The colorful festival is accompanied by a variety of customs and traditions and preparations usually begin 1-2 weeks in advance: people decorate their homes, visit the graves of their ancestors or cook Vietnamese specialties. The Tet Festival commemorates the ancestors and is also an opportunity for people to welcome the new lunar year with family members.

As part of the Tet Festival, the Krong Buk Charity Project organized food distributions to victims of Agent Orange and their family members in the southern Vietnamese town of Ea Kly. The Charity Project Krong Buk, led by Peter Jenni and Tran Thi Hiep, was able to provide 360 families with food, co-financed by Green Cross Switzerland. This cooperation has been in place since April 2023 and ensures the pragmatic use of relief supplies on the ground.

The aid campaign had a very positive side effect: the food supplier responsible distributed additional food parcels to those affected out of her own motivation.

We are very grateful for the supplier’s help and the cooperation with the Krong Buk charity project. This year, in addition to the existing orthopaedic and social services for victims of Agent Orange as part of the Socmed program, the inclusion and implementation of new content is also planned. Green Cross Switzerland is currently investigating the situation regarding the establishment of microloans for prospective start-up companies. These planning opportunities and the realization of projects would be unthinkable without our donors. We would like to thank you for your continued support.

Während viele Kinder in der Schweiz sich auf Weihnachten und somit auch auf Geschenke freuen konnten, ist die Situation für zahlreiche Jugendliche und Kinder in der Ukraine leider nicht dieselbe. Der Krieg ist allgegenwärtig und jüngere Menschen leiden besonders an den Auswirkungen der kriegerischen Handlungen. Vielfach ist es auch für die Betroffenen schwierig die aussergewöhnliche Situation nachvollziehen bzw. einordnen zu können.

Der Einsatz für Kinder, Jugendliche und junge Erwachsene ist für Green Cross Switzerland bereits lange ein Anliegen. Das Engagement für junge Menschen während des Krieges wurde relevanter denn je.

Damit auch während des Krieges ein Stück Normalität und einen Moment des sorglosen Alltags herrschen kann, offerierte Green Cross Switzerland deshalb zwischen den Weihnachts- und Neujahrstagen bis Januar 2024 600 Geschenke an Kinder und Jugendliche in verschiedenen Schulen und Kindergärten innerhalb der Ukraine. Jedes dieser Geschenke enthielt ein Spielzeug sowie verschiedene Süssigkeiten. Die Geschenke sollen Halt und Sicherheit erwirken aber auch erinnern, dass es Perspektiven für eine hoffnungsvolle Zukunft gibt.

Auch im Jahr 2024 wird unsere Stiftung die Arbeit in der Ukraine fortsetzen, wobei verschiedene weitere Schwerpunkte gesetzt werden. Die Unterstützung der Kinder und Jugendlichen wird ein wichtiger Aspekt der humanitären Hilfe sein, damit wir auch in diesem Jahr den Alltag weiterer jungen Menschen in der Ukraine etwas aufhellen können. Angesetzt sind u.a. Angebote zur psychologischen Unterstützung und Bewältigung der Kriegsereignisse.

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.

On Friday, October 27th, a charity event organised by Green Cross Switzerland took place in Zurich. Donors, volunteers, partner organisations, and interested individuals gained insights into the project work in Ukraine and Vietnam from our CEO and Swiss National Councillor, Martin Bäumle.

In addition to a detailed presentation on the current humanitarian work in Ukraine, a report on the delivery of water purification systems to the conflict-affected country was also presented. Subsequently, the project work in Vietnam was introduced. To conclude, Dr. med. Claude Müller and Dr. h.c. Daniel Hueskes were honoured for their long-standing cooperation, and an honorary award was presented to them as a token of gratitude for their volunteer efforts.

Green Cross Switzerland would like to thank all the guests for their participation, as this evening would have been unthinkable without your help, dear donors, volunteers, interested individuals, and partner organisations.

In the second half of 2023, the warfare, especially in the south of Ukraine, is still omnipresent and there is no end in sight. While soldiers are under constant fire on the fronts, the Ukrainian population is in a precarious situation.

They are confronted with various problems that they cannot cope with alone and are dependent on help. Green Cross Switzerland therefore supports the victims of the war with a range of pragmatically designed and regionally adapted rapid assistance services, which act at different levels of everyday life and aim to improve the situations.

Since the Russian invasion in February 2022, Green Cross Switzerland focused on the delivery of humanitarian goods and especially since the end of the same year on the provision of water treatment systems that can clean dirty or contaminated water.

In addition, however, the commitment to children has been a core concern of our foundation for many years. After all, the foundation previously organized various therapy camps for children affected by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in Ukraine or Belarus. This focus on supporting children is being continued because children and young people are often exposed to acts of war.

New aid provided for the victims of war

Now, during the summer and in September, more than 200 children from the Chernihiv region were able to receive backpacks as a result of the assistance provided. The backpacks symbolize the chance of a certain regular school day; away – as much as possible – from the acts of war, an inviting start to the first day of school and give the children the opportunity to carry their personal belongings and school books.

Green Cross Switzerland also supported a hospital or rehabilitation center in Chernihiv for children with impairments. Many of the children treated there have injuries to their musculoskeletal system and to the central or peripheral nervous system. By means of the movement equipment provided, the gross and fine motor skills of children and adolescents there can be sustainably trained and improved. In the same city, a kindergarten was equipped with chairs and beds, improving the infrastructure and giving the children opportunities to feel at home. It was also possible to provide an electricity generator, which helps the cooks to prepare a warm meal for the children despite power outages.

Green Cross Switzerland has given 31 modern orthopedic mattresses to the Ripky Central Hospital, as well as others to a residence center for the homeless and two smaller hospitals. The acting general director of the hospital in Ripky expresses his gratitude and says that the delivery will improve the conditions for a stay.

More outreach planned for late fall

Further assistance is planned again for the fall and winter. For example, seeds will be distributed to people. The focus will be on the delivery of water treatment systems.

Green Cross Switzerland would like to sincerely thank you, dear donors, for continuing to support our work and giving the people in Ukraine hope for a future.

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: