Sweden to donate its largest non-military support package to Ukraine
Published
The Government is due to adopt a new winter package for Ukraine, to support the Ukrainian people ahead of the winter and alleviate suffering in the country. The package is worth a total of SEK 1.4 billion and is the largest single non-military Swedish package to Ukraine.
“Ukraine is enduring another winter under Russian aggression. Like last year, Russia is stepping up its attacks on civilian infrastructure, not least on energy and heat supply. Such attacks have devastating consequences for an already hard-hit population and worsen the humanitarian situation in the country. This support will help heat Ukraine and strengthen its resilience this winter,” says Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell.
This support will help bolster Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure during the winter, its energy system, emergency shelters and health and medical care system.
“Access to energy is crucial to Ukraine’s security and resilience, and to rebuilding the country and kick-starting Ukraine’s business sector as quickly as possible once Russia’s war of invasion is over. Sweden will support Ukraine for as long as it takes,” says Minister for Energy, Business and Industry Ebba Busch.
The 2023 winter package to Ukraine encompasses SEK 1.4 billion from the development assistance budget and will be channelled via the World Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), UNESCO and the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency.
“We stand side by side with Ukraine, and the importance of continuing to provide military, humanitarian and economic support cannot be overstated. We’re also convinced that it will strengthen Sweden’s security and our trade relations in the long term,” says Aron Emilsson, foreign policy spokesperson for the Sweden Democrats.
“We must respond to the cold winter with our solidarity. This is about both their freedom and ours. Ukraine must win the war, and Russia must lose it,” says Joar Forssell, foreign policy spokesperson for the Liberal Party.
About this support
Support to Ukraine’s electricity infrastructure via the World Bank
SEK 900 million will be allocated via the World Bank’s Ukraine Relief, Recovery, Reconstruction and Reform Trust Fund, which supports Ukraine’s key infrastructure in sectors such as energy, housing, health care and transport. Procuring equipment to shore up heating and transfer capacity in the Ukrainian electricity grid is crucial to the Ukrainian population making it through the winter. The largest project in the energy sector, RePower Ukraine, focuses on these very issues.
Energy and environmental support via the EBRD
SEK 300 million will be allocated via the EBRD’s Eastern Europe Energy Efficiency and Environment Partnership (E5P). The Partnership was established in 2009 under Sweden’s then Presidency of the Council of the EU, and Sweden has been the largest donor for almost 15 years. It supports municipal infrastructure initiatives in Ukraine to boost energy efficiency and environmental protection.
Support for grain exports via the World Food Programme
The winter support package also includes support via the UN World Food Programme (WFP), with SEK 100 million going to Ukrainian grain exports via the WFP’s Grain from Ukraine initiative.
Support to the Ukrainian education sector via UNESCO
SEK 75 million will be allocated via UNESCO to construct shelters in schools and preschools in Ukraine.
Support measures via the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency
SEK 25 million will be allocated via the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency to meet Ukraine’s most pressing needs. This support can be used to secure Ukraine’s heat supply through measures to reinforce physical infrastructure. This could include transformers, generators and electric cables, as well as repairs to equipment damaged in Russian attacks. The funds can also be used in the Agency’s medical evacuation and mine-clearing efforts, for example.
Press contact
Press Secretary to Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell
Phone (switchboard) +46 8 405 10 00
Press Secretary to Minister for Energy, Business and Industry Ebba Busch
Phone (switchboard) +46 8 405 10 00
Mobile +46 76 126 18 28
email to Andia Gemsjö
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