Sharp cuts when development aid is reduced by SEK 6.9 billion

The government is redirecting money from international aid to cover the costs of receiving people fleeing Ukraine. 

- I think it is shameful and worrying because now we see that the needs in the world are increasing, we are heading towards a global famine in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, says Member of Parliament Maria Ferm (MP).

For aid organizations that are dependent on Sida support, they are now working feverishly to implement the cuts decided by the government.

Support for, among other things, democracy work and human rights is reduced from SEK 981 million to SEK 559 million, a decrease of 43 percent.

- Every penny makes a difference so it is clear that I understand that this affects, but we are still a country that is good at international solidarity, says Minister for Development Aid Matilda Ernkrans (S).

Too little time to adjust

Support for peace-building measures and research will be reduced by 37 percent and 32 percent, respectively.

For the area of ​​sustainable development, which includes support for programs for women, the reduction will be 47 percent.

According to Ernkrans, the organizations have had time to change their work since the regulation letter was sent in April.

- I do not call it plenty of time when it is done during the current year, I think that more lessons could have been learned from the refugee crisis 2015-2016.

The Swedish Migration Agency's latest forecast also shows that there will be fewer people fleeing Ukraine and they need SEK 4 billion less, says Anna Stenvinkel, Secretary General of the aid organization ForumCiv.

It is unclear how hard the reduction will hit the aid organizations

According to Sida's press service, their impact assessment would have been completed before midsummer, but the work requires more time as it alone concerns almost 2,000 agreements.

The Swedish Migration Agency's next forecast for how many Ukrainian refugees will apply to Sweden this year will come at the end of July, and only after that can the government decide whether the aid can count on more money.