Press release
19 May 2009
Ministry for Foreign Affairs
Sweden to contribute SEK 24 million to internal refugee crisis in Pakistan
In light of the urgent and massive need for assistance to internal refugees in Pakistan, Sweden has decided to offer additional humanitarian support.
"The speed and scale of the current internal refugee crisis in north-west Pakistan are cause for deep concern. Sweden is now providing support to help alleviate the humanitarian needs," says Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson.
Clashes between the Pakistan army and the armed opposition in the north-west border province have led to huge flows of internal refugees. The number of internal refugees is currently nearing two million. The situation is extremely serious and, from a global perspective, the displacement of civilians that is taking place is one of the most rapid in recent times.
Internal refugees are in need of food, water, health care and shelter, but also of protection. In this difficult situation it is worrying that the humanitarian organisations are finding it difficult to gain safe access to the region. Sweden welcomes, therefore, the efforts of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) to organise a coordinated and extensive humanitarian operation.
Sweden has decided to respond to the urgent and massive humanitarian needs in Pakistan by contributing SEK 10 million to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) from Sweden's core contribution.
Sweden has previously contributed SEK 9 million via the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to several UN humanitarian organisations. Via Sida, Sweden has also recently contributed SEK 5 million to OCHA in Pakistan. The UN issued its appeal for humanitarian assistance to Pakistan on Monday. Sweden is prepared to contribute additional support.
Contact
Peter Larsson+46 8 405 10 00
