Swiss have never donated as much as they have for Ukraine

By Timo Kirez

GENEVA (AA) - Aid agencies collecting donations in Switzerland received more than 380 million Swiss francs ($406 million) last year for victims of the war in Ukraine.

This means aid organizations received more donations than ever before in their history. The previous record for donations was set in 2004 by the seaquake and subsequent tsunami in Asia, according to a statement Friday by Zewo, the Swiss certification body for non-profit organizations.

At that time, around 300 million Swiss francs ($320 million) were collected. Swiss relief organization Swiss Solidarity alone collected 130 million francs ($138 million), about a third of the Ukraine donations.

"This vote of confidence by the Swiss people goes hand in hand with a great responsibility, which Swiss Solidarity takes very seriously," the foundation writes on its homepage.

Through controls and evaluations, Swiss Solidarity wants to ensure that every donation is used as efficiently and effectively as possible for the people who need it most.

The same organization had also launched an appeal for donations directly after the severe earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria on Feb. 6.