Can’t do more without help

This year, the Swedish Development Assistance Commission has distributed 4,225 million humanitarian aid to Sita in connection with various crises, more than ever before.

– This is an incredibly serious development, says Jacob Wernerman, Head of the Department of Humanitarian Aid in Zeta.

The corona epidemic has worsened the situation of many poor communities and made it even more difficult to get money from the rich part of the world.

– The economies of all countries are severely affected by the epidemic, and we see uncertainty in many countries as to how they can maintain their solidarity with the outside world. For example, countries like the United Kingdom are reducing their aid. But in Sweden, we are and are standing towards a one percent goal, says Olsen Frith (MP), Sweden’s Minister of Development.

The reduction does not apply to Sweden

By the end of 2020, the UK had reduced its previous growth aid target from 0.7 per cent to 0.5 per cent of GDP. This is in line with the EU trend. According to Concord, the umbrella body for aid, EU member states spend a small portion of their revenues on aid.

According to Per Olson Freith, in the case of Sweden, it is not appropriate to reduce aid.

– If we are to fight the epidemic, if we can fight climate change, if we want to make the world a little safer, then we must stand for this kind of unity, he says.

The five biggest crises that Syria will provide assistance this year are the Syrian crisis, the war in Yemen, the situation in South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the situation of refugees and other vulnerable people in Ethiopia.

There are many reasons behind the need

The corona epidemic has already exacerbated the humanitarian situation in those parts of the world that are most vulnerable. But the growing need for humanitarian assistance has many causes.

– There are many factors that contribute to intensive growth. On the one hand, there are more and more complex and protracted armed conflicts in many parts of the world. Climate change affects both the severity and frequency of natural disasters. And Jacob Wernerman says socio-economic growth is deteriorating in some parts of the world.