- Global Advisory
INTERNATIONAL Services
Internationally, Dropstone operates in some of the most demanding environments: armed conflict, post-crisis situations, fragile governance states, humanitarian emergencies. Since 2013, we have conducted missions in more than 28 countries, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia.
Our positioning is clear: we are not a generalist field operator. We provide high-level technical expertise, independent analytical capacity and an understanding of institutional dynamics — in service of our clients’ decisions. Our clients include humanitarian organisations, bilateral development agencies, multilateral donors, international NGOs and government institutions.
Key Capabilities
Areas of Expertise
Humanitarian Affairs & Development
Quantitative and qualitative monitoring of groundwater, studies on the protection of water abstraction points, 3D aquifer modelling and cantonal planning.
Project Evaluation & Studies
Evaluations are designed and conducted in accordance with good practice standards for evaluation quality, transparency, and learning.
Institutional Strategy, Support & Governance
Senior advisory support for strategy, organizational alignment, and institutional change in complex contexts.
Information Management
We design information management frameworks and tools that turn data into a driver of oversight and action, acting as a bridge between end-users, programme management, and IT development.
Our People
The International Team
Patrick
Kilchenmann
Founder and Owner
A geologist and hydrogeologist by training, Patrick has more than 30 years of professional experience. He began as a scientist in applied research in Switzerland before conducting long-term missions internationally — notably in Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Haiti, Nepal and Sudan. He has worked for the ICRC, SDC, SKAT Consulting and Helvetas. His areas of expertise cover groundwater management, WASH programmes, conflict prevention and resolution, humanitarian access negotiation, governance and institutional strengthening.
Mehdy
Al-Zoubaidy
Geologist and Hydrogeologist
Holding a master’s degree in hydrogeology, Mehdy has 12 years of experience in Switzerland (environmental impact studies, engineering) and internationally (Morocco, Lebanon, Madagascar, Bangladesh). Specialised in integrated water management and spatial analysis, he works on our hydrogeological projects in Switzerland and abroad since March 2023.
Cyrille
Scherrer
Geologist and Hydrogeologist
Holding a doctorate in hydrogeology, Cyrille specialises in mapping groundwater potential for drilling in humanitarian crisis situations. His work has contributed to the completion of more than 100 high-yield boreholes in refugee camps in Uganda. He works on our geothermal projects in Geneva and provides hydrogeological support in Wallis and Geneva. He joined our team in January 2025.
Hala
Moughanie
Public Strategies Expert
More than 15 years of experience in public policy development and institutional reform. Managing Director of Madina for Service Development. Dropstone references: Burundi (AFD), DRC (Carter Center), Lebanon (SDC), Mali (SDC).
Kingsley
Akoh Akebegho
Database Developer & IT Specialist
Specialist in database management systems and web development. Has collaborated with Dropstone since 2018 on the development of databases for humanitarian project monitoring.
Pedro
Basabe
Senior DRR Expert
Doctorate in hydrogeology (EPFL). Contributed to drafting the Hyogo Framework (2005) and the Sendai Framework (2015) within UNDRR. Led the UNDRR Africa regional office (2008-2013). SDC DRR Officer for South-East Asia and the Pacific (2017-2022).
Caroline
Gloor
Junior Evaluation Specialist
Holding a degree in international relations, Caroline specialises in gender, women’s empowerment and development issues. She contributes to our evaluation and project monitoring mandates in international contexts.
Shukhrat
Igamberdyev
SENIOR WATER EXPERT
More than 20 years of experience in integrated water resource management in Central Asia. Confirmed expert in WASH, irrigation, watershed management and DRR.
Trust Built
They have entrusted us with their strategic decisions
From Switzerland’s leading public sector organisations to the world’s largest international agencies, our expertise has helped to develop
both long-term and emergency solutions.
