After the devastating fire in Crans-Montana, there was a huge outpouring of support. But what is the right way to help? Governors Andrea Weber, Jouni Heinonen, and John Manning talk about responsibility, the danger of taking action for action’s sake, and why Rotary deliberately focuses on areas where real gaps exist despite government support.
Andrea, at first glance, Crans-Montana is synonymous with glamour, holidays, and luxury. This tragedy has brutally shattered that image. What has particularly moved you in recent days?
AW: I was particularly moved by the discrepancy between perception—or prejudice—and reality. By no means do all the young people who were in Crans-Montana that night come from well-off families. For many, New Year’s Eve was a very special moment they had been looking forward to for a long time and had saved up for. Perhaps it was their first big event without their parents—an evening of freedom, new beginnings, and lightheartedness. And it was on this special day that they lost their happiness. This realization changes the way we look at everything that comes after.
Jouni, why is it so important to clearly state this perspective?
JH: Because prejudices take hold quickly—and because they hurt. When people say, “Anyone who was there isn’t in need,” they are judging from a distance. Many of these young people were employees, seasonal workers, or simply young people who wanted to treat themselves to something special. One evening. One night. Not a lifestyle. A place has an image—but an image is not social security. If we don’t make that very clear, we leave the field open to false assumptions.
John, what happens when images like these set the tone?
JM: Then a dangerous oversimplification arises. You see the place—and overlook the people. That’s exactly what we must not allow to happen. Help is not based on zip codes or vacation resorts, but on life situations—on what someone is currently having to endure.
“Parents arrive and don’t know what to expect”
You often talk about the young people affected. But behind them are parents and families. What does this tragedy mean for them?
JH: For many parents, this is a situation that completely overwhelms them. They travel here—often at short notice, often from abroad—and don’t know what to expect. How serious are the injuries? How will the healing process go? Will their child be able to live independently again? On top of that, there are very practical hurdles: hospitals, insurance companies, authorities, paperwork—often in a language they don’t speak. And all of this happens while they are in shock. In this situation, you are not capable of acting in the traditional sense. You are simply there—and hope.
What makes this uncertainty so existential?
AW: It has an open ending, which is probably the most important point. New Year’s Eve was a moment, but the consequences drag on for weeks, months—sometimes years. Parents and siblings leave behind their everyday lives, their work, and their other children. They don’t know how long they will have to stay. And above all, the question hangs in the air: What will happen next? This is precisely where the importance of support becomes apparent—not in an abstract sense, but in a very concrete one: someone who explains, translates, and helps bring order to the chaos.
What is most urgently needed in such moments?
JM: Reliability. The feeling of not being alone. Of course, money is also an issue; additional costs arise immediately. But just as important is the signal that someone is there to stay—someone who listens, someone who doesn’t disappear again after a few days. This human presence is often the first step back toward a sense of stability.
“Immediate assistance is important—but it’s not the end of the story”
Early on, there was public discussion of immediate assistance of 10,000 Swiss francs per affected person. Many are asking: isn’t that enough?
JM: This emergency aid was important and appropriate. The canton of Valais acted quickly, with minimal administrative effort. The payment helps to cover initial expenses: travel, accommodation, organization. But it is a stopgap measure, not a solution. It says nothing about what comes next. And it is precisely this “next” that is often the most difficult—when everyday life returns, but the uncertainty remains.
John, you repeatedly emphasize prudence. Where do you see the greatest danger at this stage?
JM: The greatest danger is well-intentioned activism. The desire to help is absolutely right, but a blanket appeal for donations without a clear purpose can raise expectations that cannot be met later. That doesn’t help anyone. Responsibility also means first clarifying where unmet needs actually exist.
What does that mean specifically for Rotary?
JH: Based on what we know today, the main financial responsibility lies with operators, owners, insurance companies, and the relevant authorities. Many employees have social security coverage, and the federal government assumes certain costs. Rotary steps in where real gaps arise despite all these mechanisms—not before, and not across the board.
How do you assess the government measures?
AW: Very clear and responsible. In addition to emergency aid, a government donation account has been set up, the establishment of an independent foundation has been announced, and victims can rely on existing victim assistance structures. This shows that the government is taking responsibility. Rotary does not see itself as a substitute, but as a complement—where individual situations arise that cannot be fully addressed by blanket solutions.
Why is this distinction important?
JH: Because it builds trust. People who donate or get involved want to know that their support is being used in a targeted way. Rotary provides additional assistance when government or insurance benefits are unavailable, delayed, or leave gaps. Each application is reviewed individually. It’s about specific needs, urgency, and appropriateness—not about taking action for the sake of it.
What is the role of the Rotary Districts Switzerland–Liechtenstein Foundation in this phase?
JM: A coordinating one. The foundation helps clarify, consolidate, and focus efforts. It ensures that support is targeted, transparent, and responsible.
“Solidarity does not end with the headline”
The tragedy in Crans-Montana was noticed far beyond the region, even internationally. What does that mean for you?
AW: The fact that the German President expressly thanked Crans-Montana for its solidarity at the opening of the World Economic Forum in Davos shows the scale of this tragedy. Suddenly, it was no longer just a local event. This international attention is important—it reminds us that solidarity must not stop at the first moment.
What conclusion do you draw from this?
JM: That we must stay when others move on. Rotary is strong when compassion and responsibility come together—when we don’t just react, but accompany. Quietly, reliably, effectively. This is not loud solidarity, but solidarity that lasts.
Jouni, one last thought?
JH: We are a community of diversity—different life paths, opportunities, and vulnerabilities. That is precisely what obliges us. Rotary is there when people lose their footing. Not because it’s easy, but because it’s right.
Dear Andrea, dear Jouni, dear John, thank you very much for this conversation and for all your efforts.
