REHASWISS

REHASWISS is a Swiss charitable organisation established in 1977 to support disabled people in developing countries, with a particular focus on the Indian subcontinent. It was founded by Joseph Aerthott, a naturalised Swiss citizen of Indian origin, together with several Swiss associates. The organisation developed around the idea that assistance for disabled people should extend beyond immediate relief and help individuals obtain a sustainable livelihood and greater economic independence. The organisation operates as a politically and religiously neutral charity. Its work is supported by donations, membership contributions, patrons, and financial contributions from public authorities and institutions, including the Swiss government, municipalities, churches, and other organisations. REHASWISS has been certified by ZEWO, the Swiss certification body for charitable organisations, and is authorised to use the ZEWO seal. This certification indicates that the organisation is subject to the transparency and governance standards associated with the Swiss charitable sector. REHASWISS has worked through partnerships with local non-governmental organisations rather than presenting itself primarily as a direct-service provider. According to the available reference material, it cooperates with approximately 25 NGOs in India and Bangladesh. Through these partnerships, it assists roughly 700 to 1,000 disabled people each year in pursuing self-supporting employment and a livelihood. The model reflects an emphasis on rehabilitation, vocational opportunity, and social and economic inclusion. The organisation's public profile is narrower than that of a consumer-facing brand or commercial financial institution. Its identity is instead associated with Swiss-supported international development work, disability inclusion, and the mobilisation of charitable resources for projects in South Asia. Publicly available information does not establish a conventional product portfolio, commercial ownership structure, stock-market listing, or corporate parent. REHASWISS should therefore be understood as an aid and charitable organisation rather than as a reinsurance company, despite the supplied industry label.

REHASWISS was founded in 1977 by Joseph Aerthott, a naturalised Swiss citizen of Indian origin, together with several Swiss friends. Its founding purpose was to help disabled people in developing countries, especially in India and elsewhere on the Indian subcontinent. The organisation's concept was based on supporting people toward self-reliance rather than limiting assistance to short-term charitable relief. From its Swiss base, REHASWISS developed a funding and partnership model supported by donations, membership contributions, patrons, and grants or contributions from public and institutional bodies. The available reference material identifies the Swiss government, municipalities, churches, and other institutions among its sources of support. This combination of private and institutional funding allowed the organisation to direct resources toward disability-related projects outside Switzerland. REHASWISS is described as politically and religiously neutral. It has also received certification from ZEWO and is authorised to use the ZEWO seal. In Switzerland, the ZEWO framework is associated with accountability and responsible charitable management, giving donors an external reference point when evaluating the organisation. Its operational approach has relied on cooperation with local NGOs. The organisation has been reported to work with approximately 25 partner NGOs in India and Bangladesh. These partnerships enable projects to be delivered in local settings and are intended to connect disabled people with employment, income generation, and sustainable livelihoods. The reported annual reach is approximately 700 to 1,000 disabled people. The available material does not provide a detailed chronology of individual programmes, leadership changes, campaigns, financial results, or organisational restructuring. It also does not establish a commercial parent company, listed status, or conventional product business. REHASWISS is therefore best documented as an international Swiss charity whose historical and continuing purpose is disability support and livelihood assistance in South Asia.

1. 1977Organisation founded

   Joseph Aerthott and several Swiss co-founders established REHASWISS to support disabled people in developing countries, particularly on the Indian subcontinent.

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2. ZEWO certification

   REHASWISS became certified by ZEWO and was authorised to use the ZEWO seal as a charitable organisation.

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3. Expansion of NGO partnerships in South Asia

   The organisation developed cooperation with approximately 25 NGOs in India and Bangladesh to deliver disability and livelihood support.

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A politically and religiously neutral Swiss charity focused on practical economic inclusion and self-supporting livelihoods for disabled people in South Asia.

• Disability rehabilitation and inclusion supportCharitable programme

  REHASWISS supports initiatives intended to improve the circumstances of disabled people in developing countries. The available description presents this work broadly as assistance aimed at enabling participation, independence, and access to a sustainable livelihood, delivered with the help of local partner organisations.

• Employment and livelihood assistanceEconomic inclusion programme

  A central focus of REHASWISS is helping disabled people obtain self-supporting work and a livelihood. The organisation reports assisting approximately 700 to 1,000 people each year through its work with NGOs, primarily in India and Bangladesh. Specific vocational projects and methods are not detailed in the available sources.

1. REHASWISS
2. REHASWISS official website