First mission of the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit

In 1974, the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit carried out its very first mission in the region around Lake Chad (Niger, Chad, Nigeria and Cameroon), which was suffering from a severe drought. The 80 members of the Unit worked hand in hand with the local population to improve the situation, and the special stamp honours their phenomenal efforts. Over a number of months, these workers set up warehouses and hospitals, repaired wells and distributed around 260 tonnes of grain.