SEK 240 million in new support to Ukraine

“Living in the midst of war – nights in protective shelters, the loss of loved ones, interrupted schooling and being forced to flee home – has serious repercussions for children’s safety, health and mental well-being. Today’s support package is a smart investment in Ukraine’s future generation. It combines urgent emergency humanitarian assistance through the Ukrainian Red Cross with strategic contributions to the World Food Programme (WFP), UNICEF, OperationAid and Gen.Ukrainian to help children enjoy a better daily life,” says Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa.

“Children are our future, our hope and the most important thing we have. The children currently caught in the crosshairs of war have needs and are experiencing things that no child should. That’s why it’s crucial that even under the most difficult circumstances, they can have safety, education and care. Nutritional food in school, psychological support and improving daily life for children close to the frontline are all examples of targeted actions that make a real difference. It’s also an investment in the reconstruction of Ukraine and a way to strengthen Ukraine’s resilience,” says Aron Emilsson, foreign policy spokesperson (Sweden Democrats). 

“We can barely imagine what it would be like to be a child near the frontline in eastern Ukraine. Many children’s schooling is digital and they don’t get a chance to see their friends. Sweden is providing a support package for school food and psychosocial support to help children withstand the situation better, both physically and psychologically,” says Gudrun Brunegård, development assistance policy spokesperson (Christian Democrats). 

“Children’s education and childhood are not things you get a second chance at, and I am proud that Sweden is carrying out significant initiatives for the children of Ukraine and their future. We will continue to bolster this support. Naturally, Ukrainian children should also have the right to enjoy school food so that they can fulfil their education,” says Fredrik Malm, foreign policy spokesperson (Liberal Party). 

The humanitarian situation in Ukraine remains extremely grave, both in communities near the frontline and in larger cities. The UN has assessed that more than 10.8 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance. According to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), 3.7 million people are displaced in Ukraine. Millions of civilians lack electricity, heating and water. Ukrainian civil society has been the backbone of the humanitarian response since the launch of Russia’s full-scale invasion on 24 February 2022. The Ukrainian Red Cross is the country’s largest humanitarian organisation and a particularly strong actor with an unsurpassed capacity to reach the Ukrainian people with assistance. For this reason, the Government is increasing its support to the Ukrainian Red Cross to a total of SEK 150 million this year, thereby consolidating its strong partnership with the organisation.

Almost all children living in communities near the frontline are doing their schooling entirely or partially online and not meeting their classmates regularly. In addition, they have to cope with the psychological strain of living in the midst of war. Support to the WFP, OperationAid and Gen.Ukrainian helps ensure that all children’s fundamental rights are met – such as safety, education, protection and support – even in the midst of war. The support to UNICEF strengthens Ukraine’s reform efforts for family-based care of children. This is an investment in Ukraine’s future generation, strengthening the country’s resilience in the short and long term.