The World Food Programme allocates SEK 41 million of Sweden’s core support to Somalia
STOCKHOLM, Sweden, July 26, 2011/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The World Food Programme allocates SEK 41 million of Sweden’s core support to Somalia
“In view of the famine disaster that has hit two regions of Somalia and that is in danger of worsening, USD 6.5 million (approx. SEK 41 million) of Sweden’s core support to the World Food Programme (WFP) will now be allocated to efforts in Somalia,” says Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson.
The humanitarian situation in the Horn of Africa remains serious and continues to worsen. The worst drought in 60 years, compounded by ongoing conflict, has resulted in a very serious humanitarian situation and a continuous flow of refugees from Somalia to primarily Kenya and Ethiopia. The UN has recently declared the existence of famine in the Somali regions of Lower Shabelle and southern Bakool. Famine is threatening several other regions in southern and central Somalia, where approximately fifty per cent of children are suffering from malnutrition and some 20 per cent of children from acute malnutrition. WFP recently called for USD 582 million to meet the enormous needs.
The Government has already provided extensive humanitarian aid this year to countries in the Horn of Africa. In total, SEK 483 million has now been provided. Humanitarian aid to Somalia in 2011, which so far amounts to SEK 225 million, exceeds total Swedish humanitarian aid to Somalia in 2010. This aid is channelled through UN bodies, the International Red Cross and NGOs.
Part of Sweden’s humanitarian aid has already been directed at the Horn of Africa for preventive and long-term efforts to strengthen the countries’ resilience to disasters such as this. However, due to the scale of the current crisis, additional emergency relief is required. The SEK 41 million now being allocated to Somalia represents part of Sweden’s core contribution to WFP, which for 2011 amounts to SEK 556.5 million.
SOURCE
Sweden – Ministry of Foreign Affairs
