The Swedish government has announced a winter humanitarian aid package for Ukraine to support the population. The total value of the aid is 1.4 billion Swedish kronor (approximately 120 million euros) and is the largest single non-military support Sweden has provided to Ukraine. This is stated on the government portal of the Kingdom of Sweden, as reported by UNN.
Ukraine is enduring winter under Russian aggression. As last year, Russia is intensifying attacks on civilian infrastructure, not least against electricity and heating supplies. Such attacks have devastating consequences for the already severely affected population and worsen the humanitarian situation in the country. The support will help keep Ukraine warm and strengthen the country's resilience this winter.
The aid will go to support Ukraine's civilian infrastructure during winter, its energy system, shelters, and healthcare support.
The majority of the money, 900 million Swedish kronor, will go to the World Bank fund for Ukraine's recovery. F
About the support
- Support for Ukrainian electricity infrastructure
through the World Bank
900 million Swedish kronor are allocated to the World Bank's Ukraine Relief, Recovery, Reconstruction and Reform Trust Fund (URTF), which supports Ukraine's central infrastructure in energy, housing, healthcare, and transport. A key factor in the Ukrainian population's ability to survive the winter is the procurement of equipment for heating and power transmission in the Ukrainian power grid.
- Energy and environmental support through the EBRD
300 million Swedish kronor are allocated to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development's Eastern Europe Energy Efficiency and Environment Partnership (E5P) fund for Ukraine.
- Support for grain exports through the WFP
The winter package also includes support for the UN World Food Programme (WFP) and UNESCO, with 100 million Swedish kronor allocated to grain exports from Ukraine through the WFP as part of the "Grain from Ukraine" initiative.
- Support for Ukraine's education sector through UNESCO
75 million Swedish kronor are allocated to UNESCO for the construction of shelters in schools and preschools in Ukraine.
- Urgent support
25 million Swedish kronor are channeled through MSB for operations that address Ukraine's most urgent needs. This may include transformers, generators, and power cables, as well as the repair of equipment damaged by Russian attacks. The funds can also be used, for example, for medical evacuation and demining work.