Swiss Landslide Clear-Up Part Funded By Missing Banknotes

(MENAFN- Swissinfo) A Swiss charity, which covers the uninsured damage of natural disasters, is supporting the landslide-devasted villages of Blatten and Ried – partly funded by the proceeds of lost banknotes. This content was published on June 6, 2025 - 11:27 2 minutes SRF

• 日本語 ja 氷河崩壊の被災者支援に未回収の旧紙幣を活用 スイス Read more: 氷河崩壊の被災者支援に未回収の旧紙幣を活用 スイ

+Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox

The foundations Fonds Suisse is among a host of agencies offering to help the villagers get back on their feet.

Daniel Arni, managing director of Fonds Suisse, explained the funding mechanism to Swiss public broadcaster SRF.

+ Why do Swiss mountains collapse? It's complicated

“When the Swiss National Bank (SNB) issues new banknotes, it recalls the old ones. Twenty-five years after the banknote are recalled, the value of the notes that were not exchanged will be distributed,” said Arni said. Fonds Suisse will receive a portion of this.

Last month, the Swiss central bank transferred almost CHF180 million to the foundation from its CHF400 million missing banknote fund.

+ What can be done about melting mountain permafrost?

Some of this money will be used by Fonds Suisse to pay for damage that cannot be insured and is not covered by the state or other donors.

“Most of the time, it's about restoring and securing freight roads or clearing and cultivating agricultural land,” says Arni. This was also the case last summer, when Fonds Suisse allocated funds following the storms in Valais, Mesox, and the Maggia Valley.

In the Lötschental valley, in which Blatten and Ried are situated, people are grateful for this support.

Council president Christian Rieder is deeply concerned, especially about the money:“We need to build a livelihood for people in the short and medium term, especially a place to live. The crisis management currently underway, including the emergency services, will also cost a fortune.”

More More Some landslide-hit Swiss village residents able to visit homes

This content was published on Jun 6, 2025 The residents of two hamlets in Blatten, Switzerland, were able to visit their homes following a landslide that devasted the village.

Read more: Some landslide-hit Swiss village residents able to visit home

MENAFN06062025000210011054ID1109646126