HEKS (Hilfswerk der Evangelischen Kirchen Schweiz) is the aid organization of the Protestant Churches of Switzerland. It was set up in 1946 by the Federation of Swiss Protestant Churches (FSPC) and has been organised as a trust since 2004.

HEKS provides humanitarian and emergency aid and fights the causes of hunger, injustice and social deprivation. All people should be able to live a life of dignity and of safety in social, economic and political terms. Headquartered in Zürich, the organisation has five regional offices in Switzerland and an office for French-speaking Switzerland in Lausanne. Through coordination offices in 20 priority countries HEKS supports about 200 projects worldwide.

HEKS’ mission statement expresses its deep respect for people of all cultures, ethnicities and religions. As such, HEKS helps people in need regardless of their religious affiliation and ethnic origin. The aid organisation aligns its work with goals like justice, peace and the integrity of creation.

Main areas of focus for the international work are the development of rural communities, the promotion of peace and conflict resolution, interchurch cooperation and humanitarian aid. The work in Switzerland is focused on social integration, advocacy for asylum seekers, and the socially disadvantaged.

They operate in Various conutries worldwide:

Countries of operation:

Asia: India, Bangladesh, Cambodia

Eastern Europe: Southern Caucasus (Georgia, Armenia), Republic of Moldova,
Kosovo, Serbia, Romania, Hungary, Ukraine, Israel/Palestine

Africa: Ethiopia, South Sudan, DRC, Zimbabwe, Niger, Senegal

Latin America: Colombia, Honduras, Brazil, Haiti

Current humanitarian aid: Philippines, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria