Crisis Management and Poverty -Lessons from the Covid-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic caused substantial economic disruptions in Switzerland. However, the policy mix — centered on preserving labour market integration and complemented by targeted support measures — proved largely effective and prevented a significant increase in poverty. NGOs played a crucial role by providing rapid and low-threshold support to particularly affected groups. At the same time, existing inequalities intensified, especially among vulnerable populations with insecure legal or socioeconomic status. These developments highlight the importance of improving crisis management in order to better contain the social consequences of future crises.