Aid million stuck with the USAid disclosed • shall claim back the money – after notification
The US administration, together with Elon Musk’s department Dogge, has chosen to cut down on USAID funding and its programs.
Since then, several European partners have tried to get answers to what will happen to unused money that has been paid out to the paused projects. But so far they have not received any feedback.
The money would go to poor farmers
For almost two months, $ 15 million from Sweden, Norway and the Netherlands has been parked on USAID, says government officials for the AP.
From a Swedish point of view, Sida confirms that it is about $ 12 million, just over SEK 120 million.
– We can say that that money is very likely not used. Probably another means will be added, says Annika Otterstedt, Head of Operations at Sida, to TV4 News.
More than 50 million of these were planned to go to a program called We4F, which would help farmers in other parts of the world to develop their cultivation. The last payment was made in December – just a month before USAID was shut down.
Sweden has not yet demanded the money from the USA. First and foremost, you want to know what the future will look like.
– We will demand back the money if we are told that the programs we fund will continue to be closed, says Annika Otterstedt.
Collaborates with the Foreign Ministry
If the silence from USAID continues, Sida with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should try to identify a contact person within the US administration.
The aid authority hopes to be notified of how much money has been used – and how much to be sent back.
– We have an agreement that regulates how it should go, but then a contact person is required.
Annika Otterstedt is convinced that the money will be repaid enough. But she emphasizes that they stopped the programs – which are very likely not resuming – risks having “major consequences”.
– It is very unfortunate because all aid is aimed at the most vulnerable part of the population, and when the programs do not continue to affect a lot of people.