Countries: World, occupied Palestinian territory, Somalia, Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic Source: Government of Sweden Global humanitarian needs are at a historic high. Ongoing wars, protracted conflicts and recurring natural disasters have driven…
What the source says
Countries: World, occupied Palestinian territory, Somalia, Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic
Source: Government of Sweden
Global humanitarian needs are at a historic high. Ongoing wars, protracted conflicts and recurring natural disasters have driven the number of people in need of aid to record levels. At the same time, the global humanitarian system is struggling with serious underfunding. Against this backdrop, the Government is presenting a humanitarian aid package today, totalling SEK 297 million for 2026.
“Humanitarian needs are immense. The United Nations estimates that over 300 million people are in need of humanitarian aid, but due to the lack of funding, only a third can be reached by efforts. This means that millions of people risk being left without life-saving aid. For this reason, Sweden is providing almost SEK 300 million in support to help uphold human dignity in what are some of the world’s most severe situations,” says Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa.
“Sweden is providing close to SEK 300 million to some of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. In Sudan for example, we are providing SEK 75 million to, among other things, food and water, to help the most vulnerable groups, and in Syria, we are providing SEK 50 million to address the most urgent needs,” says Gudrun Brunegård, development assistance policy spokesperson (Christian Democrats).
A significant portion of the support, SEK 100 million, is provided as core support to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). Globally, the number of displaced people amounts to more than 122 million, the highest level ever Protracted conflicts and new crises continue to forcibly displace people from their homes. Core support is a flexible funding modality that makes it possible for organisations to swiftly target efforts where needs are most severe.
In addition to this core support, aid is also being directed towards particularly vulnerable areas with major humanitarian needs. SEK 75 million is being channelled to the humanitarian response in Sudan. After several years of conflict, the situation there remains catastrophic. More than 33 million people, including 15 million children, need humanitarian aid and protection.
A further SEK 50 million in humanitarian aid is going to Syria to meet acute needs and contribute to improving conditions for sustainable returns.
SEK 27 million from previously adopted core support is being allocated to Ukraine, where the humanitarian needs remain extensive as a consequence of Russia’s full-scale invasion. The support will contribute to shelter, emergency aid and other life-saving initiatives, which will be particularly important as winter approaches.
Lebanon, where the humanitarian situation remains very serious, is receiving support totalling SEK 20 million. There continues to be a substantial need for aid in the form of shelter, food, medical care, cash support and psychosocial assistance.
In Somalia, millions of people risk being driven into acute famine, at a time when the El Niño weather phenomenon is expected to cause further hardship. The Government is therefore providing a further SEK 15 million in support to Somalia.
The situation for Gaza’s civilian population remains very difficult, and children are among the groups hit hardest. The Government is therefore allocating SEK 10 million for the medical evacuation of children from Gaza to Jordan.
“In these difficult times, the Government remains committed to its humanitarian engagement. Sweden’s support is helping to save lives, fight hunger and acute malnutrition, protect displaced people and provide support to the most vulnerable,” says Mr Dousa.
How the Government is distributing the support
SEK 100 million in core support is being allocated to the UNCHR, to strengthen the protection and support of refugees, internally displaced and stateless people, and to contribute to sustainable solutions. With this additional support, Sweden’s support to the UNHCR will total SEK 1 023 million for 2026.
SEK 75 million to Sudan, with SEK 50 million allocated to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), SEK 20 million to the UNHCR, and SEK 5 million to Save the Children Sudan. The support is being allocated as part of the funds already approved for the WFP, UNHCR and Save the Children Sudan in 2026.
SEK 50 million to Syria. The support comprises SEK 30 million to be allocated to the UNHCR, SEK 10 million to the WFP and SEK 10 million to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The support is being allocated as part of the funds already approved for the UNHCR, WFP and the ICRC in 2026.
SEK 27 million to Ukraine. The support comprises SEK 13 million to be allocated to the UNHCR, SEK 6 million to the WFP, SEK 4 million to the ICRC, and SEK 4 million to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). The support is being allocated as part of the funds already approved for the UNHCR, WFP, ICRC and the IFRC in 2026.
SEK 20 million to Lebanon through the UNHCR to address the serious humanitarian situation in the country.
SEK 15 million to Somalia through the WFP to contribute towards life-saving starvation relief operations and to strengthen preparedness for the humanitarian consequences of El Niño. The support is being allocated as part of the funds already approved for the WFP in 2026.
SEK 10 million via Sida, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, to the World Health Organization office in Jordan to support the medical evacuations of children from Gaza to Jordan, which means that gravely ill and injured children can receive access to life-saving medical care.
Funding for Sweden’s support comes from the development assistance budget.
Press contact
Lukas Zeiler
Press Secretary to Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa
Phone (switchboard) +46 8 405 10 00
Mobile +46 76 764 06 21
email to Lukas Zeiler
Karl Gustel Wärnberg
Press Secretary, Christian Democrats' Parliamentary Secretariat
Mobile +46 76 531 06 68
email to Karl Gustel Wärnberg
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