Switzerland halts foreign aid to BD, Albania, and Zambia

NN Online:

The Swiss government has announced that it will discontinue its development aid programmes in Bangladesh, Albania, and Zambia, following a reduction in foreign aid funding approved by parliament last December.

Parliament cut CHF 110 million ($121 million) from the 2025 international cooperation budget and CHF 321 million from the financial plan for 2026–2028, reports Swissinfo.

According to an official statement, these reductions will affect bilateral, economic, and thematic cooperation, along with contributions to multilateral organisations.

On Wednesday, the Federal Council, Switzerland’s executive body, was informed of the budget cuts. In response, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) will phase out its bilateral development programmes in Albania, Bangladesh, and Zambia by the end of 2028.

Between 2025 and 2028, further reductions will be made to country and thematic programmes, as well as organisations. However, funding for humanitarian aid, peace-building, and assistance to Ukraine will remain unaffected.