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Press release

Government presents support package for children in Ukraine and Moldova

Published

The Government and the Sweden Democrats have decided on SEK 105 million in support to strengthen children’s rights and protection in Ukraine and Moldova. In addition, Sweden has decided to donate SEK 30 million through Sida to Save the Children’s operations in Ukraine. This support will help strengthen children’s welfare and access to safe healthcare in an extremely serious humanitarian situation.

“Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has brought serious consequences for children’s mental and physical health, and access to basic public services. The Government and the Sweden Democrats therefore consider it essential to contribute support for children to gain access to basic things such as clean water, heat, psychosocial support and shelter. Through our new support to UNICEF, we are also working to counter family separation and helping to provide children with safer healthcare in both Ukraine and Moldova,” says Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell. 

“Supporting Ukraine in several ways with the help of broad initiatives is ultimately essential for the country’s resilience. We must ensure that we provide support where we can, and it is especially important that we help those who are most at risk,” says Sweden Democrats group leader Linda Lindberg.

“Children are hit especially hard by war and conflict. It is no surprise that many children in Ukraine are severely traumatised, both physically and mentally. But the threat looming over Moldova is also taxing on everyone who lives there. Children in these countries need professional support. This includes medical assistance for their injuries and in particular, support in dealing with the impressions made on them by the horrors of war. At the same time, resources are scarce. It is therefore important that Sweden now increases its contribution to strengthen support for children’s protection and well-being,” says Gudrun Brunegård, development assistance policy spokesperson for the Christian Democrats.

“These children are both Ukraine’s and Europe’s future. Our support should increase and continue for as long as necessary,” says Joar Forssell, foreign policy spokesperson for the Liberal Party. 

About the support package

UNICEF – SEK 105 million
The investment helps Ukraine and Moldova develop integrated child protection systems through improved management and developed social services so as to support and keep families together, place children in foster care when necessary and enable a transition from institution-based care systems.

Save the Children – SEK 30 million
The investment contributes to responding to the most serious and acute needs for children with a focus on the hardest-hit areas. This support includes basic necessities such as access to water and heat, but also includes educational and psychosocial support. Sida decided on this investment.

The investments in this support package are funded within the development assistance budget.

Press contact

Victoria Holmqvist
Press Secretary to Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell
Phone (switchboard) +46 8 405 10 00

Background

Around 2 000 children have been killed or injured since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. UNICEF also estimates that the number of children killed in attacks increased by 40 per cent in 2024 in comparison with 2023. Around 3.7 million people in Ukraine are internally displaced and 6.5 million have been forced to leave the country, including more than 100 000 currently in Moldova.

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