Sweden Allocates 9 Million SEK for Humanitarian Aid to Gaza via Egypt
Sweden announces 9 million SEK in humanitarian aid for Gaza through the Egyptian Red Crescent.
Key Points
- • Sweden is allocating 9 million SEK to the Egyptian Red Crescent for Gaza support.
- • Funds will assist in the evacuation of severely injured patients and aid delivery logistics.
- • Conditions in Gaza are dire, with severe shortages of medical supplies and food.
- • Sweden is a leading donor in humanitarian aid, emphasizing support in Gaza and Egypt rather than patient evacuations.
The Swedish government has announced a financial commitment of 9 million SEK to support humanitarian efforts in Gaza through the Egyptian Red Crescent. This funding is primarily aimed at facilitating the evacuation of severely injured patients and addressing the logistical challenges of delivering essential aid to Gaza, where the humanitarian situation has reached critical levels.
Benjamin Dousa, Sweden's Minister for International Development Cooperation, highlighted the dire conditions faced by the civilian population in Gaza, which includes acute shortages of food, medical supplies, and even anesthesia for surgeries. He described the situation as 'incredibly professional' from an organizational standpoint but beset with significant barriers due to the Israeli government's restrictions on humanitarian aid. Dousa emphasized the urgent need for resources as he recounted distressing accounts from medical professionals leaving Gaza, pointing out that children are undergoing surgical procedures without anesthesia because of the critical lack of supplies.
While there have been discussions about the potential evacuation of patients from Gaza to Sweden, Dousa stressed that supporting efforts directly within Gaza and Egypt would be more effective. He acknowledged that Sweden ranks as the second-largest donor in Europe and fifth globally in terms of aid to Gaza, reaffirming the country's commitment to alleviating the suffering of the region's civilians. Dousa's remarks reflect a broader political stance aimed at supporting humanitarian efforts in a challenging context.