During the past year, Sweden has donated SEK 451 million to Unrwa, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the aid organization Sida. But now the so-called core support to the UN aid organization for Palestine refugees is being scrapped, somewhat TV4 News was the first to report.
The decision – which is part of the government’s regulatory letter that establishes next year’s priorities for Sida – comes after Israel’s decision to ban the organization, something the Swedish government has been critical of. Before the bill to stop the UN agency from operating in Gaza was voted through also protested the five Nordic foreign ministersincluding Maria Malmer Stenergard (M).
Political reasons
According to Aid Minister Benjamin Dousa (M), there are also political reasons for Sweden to end the cooperation.
But the decision has been made on the basis that at the turn of the year it will be more difficult to receive aid through Unrwa.
– It will be very difficult and perhaps even impossible for UNRWA to carry out effective aid work in Gaza, Dousa tells SVT Nyheter.
The government states that the core support is flexible and “can be allocated to the parts of the business where it is most needed”.
Among the actors who receive continued support are the UN Food Programme, the UN Children’s Fund Unicef and the UN Population Fund.
Receives harsh criticism
The criticism from the opposition has not been long in coming. Morgan Johansson (S), vice chairman of the foreign affairs committee, calls the decision “catastrophic”.
Anna Lasses, aid policy spokesperson for the Center Party, shares that view.
“To think that other organizations can take over their role is naive and short-sighted,” she writes in a comment to SVT Nyheter.
The Left Party’s Nooshi Dadgostar believes that the government legitimizes the Israeli decision.
IN a longer post on X Unrwa chief Philippe Lazzarini expresses his disappointment at the Swedish government’s decision, which he hopes will be reconsidered.
“This is a sad day for Palestinian refugees and the multilateral system for which Sweden has stepped in,” he writes.
According to Friday’s message the government doubles humanitarian aid to Gaza and the region, from 400 million to 800 million next year.
At the same time, the aid minister admits that it is not possible to guarantee that the support will reach all the way.
– But that doesn’t stop us from trying to do everything we can.