SDC started its intervention in Mongolia in 2001 with humanitarian aid to assist most vulnerable people to overcome the harsh and devastating winters. Initially, SDC applied a traditional approach by providing in-kind relief to the victims of the ‘dzud’, food and clothing, feed for the animals and shelters for homeless poor. Since (in vast countries like Mongolia) administration and transportation consumed significant parts of the relief budgets of many donors, SDC introduced the innovative In-Cash support programmes to herders, based on experience in Eastern Europe. The main principle of this approach is to provide carefully selected beneficiaries with cash grants through the local banks and leave them with a free choice of how to spend it. This approach was well accepted among authorities and other stakeholders as a very effective and efficient tool for dealing with disaster and preparedness. More than 7600 herder families benefited from the Cash for Herders Projects, implemented in four aimags.

While addressing the emergency situations, SDC in Mongolia gradually shifted to broader development cooperation, focusing its activities more on promoting economic and governmental autonomy, improving production conditions, helping to solve environmental problems, and providing better access to education, basic health care and culture.

Total contribution from Switzerland during the year 2001-2009 reached more than CHF 20 million.