Medienmitteilungen 2023

The year 2022 was marked by the war in Ukraine, which was the focus of reporting. Also for Green Cross Switzerland, Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine meant a major adjustment in its project work with a new focus in Ukraine. While the project work in Russia was suspended until further notice, our work in Belarus could only be continued on a reduced scale.

In Ukraine, we were unable to continue normal project work, but immediately shifted our focus to humanitarian aid. It was clear that the Ukrainian population was in urgent need of help and we therefore delivered goods such as food, medicine and baby items. In addition, from the second half of the year we supplied systems that can clean polluted water. Because of the war many pollutants and germs get into the drinking water. These pragmatic aid activities will continue in the future. It is also planned that Green Cross Switzerland will support reconstruction projects.

In Vietnam, outreach to those affected by Agent Orange continued. Green Cross Switzerland focused on providing orthopedic aids, as Vietnamese health insurance does not cover orthotics or prosthetics. In addition, we were involved in the care, nursing and daily living of children and young people affected by Agent Orange. We also focused on continuing education for medical professionals, particularly in the area of orthotics.

2022 was a financially stable year for Green Cross Switzerland. We were able to continue the projects in Vietnam and to continue our previous work in Ukraine in a different form. The Foundation Board and team are therefore delighted and sincerely thank your donors for their continued support. We will continue to do our utmost to help those affected by man-made disasters in difficult situations.

You can find the full annual report in German here.

Thursday, August 10 is the International Day of Remembrance for the victims of the dioxin-containing defoliant “Agent Orange,” which was used during the Vietnam War and continues to have serious health effects today. The herbicide can cause cancer, organ damage and deformities even in small amounts. Exposure to Agent Orange has been the cause of an unusually high number of miscarriages, skin diseases, cancers and congenital malformations since the 1970s. Children and adolescents in particular still suffer from the devastating late effects of the herbicide today.

The Green Cross Switzerland Foundation and the Switzerland-Vietnam Association would like to use this day of remembrance with a stand each to draw attention to the continuing effects of Agent Orange. With the ongoing war in Ukraine, the devastating consequences of armed conflict are particularly present. Unfortunately, the suffering caused by wars is not limited to the events of the day, but often entails long-lasting after-effects. For almost 30 years, Green Cross Switzerland has therefore been committed to the SOCMED program for those affected by Agent Orange in Vietnam. The Switzerland-Vietnam Association demands justice for the victims of this chemical weapon and, together with medico international switzerland, is involved in projects to alleviate their suffering.

“The use of Agent Orange by the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War stands as a sad example of the unimaginable suffering that military targets can cause to civilians. It is of great importance not to forget the devastating effects of Agent Orange and to continue to provide support to the affected people, as those responsible for its use unfortunately largely shirk their responsibility,” says Martin Bäumle, CEO of Green Cross Switzerland and member of the National Council.

Green Cross Switzerland and the Switzerland-Vietnam Association are organizing a stand campaign on Hechtplatz and on Bahnhofstrasse in front of Pestalozzi-Wiese in Zurich on August 10 to commemorate the victims of Agent Orange and to inform the public about the ongoing relief projects.