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Switzerland – Cambodia

Milestones of Kantha Bopha Hospitals – yesterday and today

by “Foundation of Children’s Hospitals Kantha Bopha”*

(24 April 2026)The history of the Kantha Bopha hospitals is an impressive chapter in humanitarian aid. In 1992, Swiss paediatricians Beat Richner (1947–2018) and his colleague Peter Studer (1947–2020) rebuilt the hospital in Phnom Penh at the request of the king, which had been reduced to rubble after the war. In 1999, the Jayavarman VII Hospital opened its doors in the north of the country. Today, we care for around 3,000 children every day at both locations, with five hospitals and a maternity clinic, and provide over 2,700 jobs for local people.
Situation in Gaza

Six months after the declaration of the «Ceasefire»

by B’Tselem*

(24 April 2026) From the declaration of the “ceasefire” on 10 October 2025 through 8 April 2026, Israel killed 736 people across the Gaza Strip. Around 150 of them were killed during the joint Israeli–American attack on Iran.

Lebanon – Israel bombs ambulances, clinics and bridges

by Karin Leukefeld*

(17 April 2026) (CH-S) Since the publication of the following report by Karin Leukefeld, the intensity of the Israeli army’s military attacks on the Lebanese population has increased day by day. In the Lebanese capital Beirut alone, hundreds of civilians – notably children, women and the elderly – fell victim to massive Israeli bombardments during the second week of April.

“You are important to us, that’s fact!”

Drug prevention with heart and mind

von Dr. med. Sabine Vuilleumier-Koch*

(17 April 2026) “Endlesslife addiction prevention helps to prevent addiction at an early stage and to promote physical, mental and social well-being.” With these words, the association “Endlesslife” from St. Gallen describes what some 120 students at a cantonal school were able to experience at the end of March. Thomas Feurer, founder of the “Endlesslife” organisation (see box), and his team managed to hold the youth’s attention for a whole morning – four hours in total – and motivate them to actively participate.

Gulf Limbo: Between War and a Hard Place

How the US ‘allies’ in West Asia brought misfortune upon themselves

by Pascal Lottaz,* Japan

(17 April 2026) On 28 February 2026, the United States and Israel jointly launched an illegal military campaign against Iran. Within hours, Iranian drones and missiles struck Manama, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, and installations across Kuwait and Qatar – although the Gulf monarchies had not declared war on Iran. Several issued statements calling for restraint. But their capitals got hit anyhow, and the reason was not difficult to understand: these countries host the military bases from which American forces were (partially) prosecuting the illegal attacks on Iran.

Social media, young girls and the surveillance state

by Anne Burger*

(10 April 2026) Protecting minors and online anonymity are false contradictions. It is possible both to protect children from social media and to uphold freedom of expression. Both are important.