New York, 16 December 2012

The Swedish International Development Agency (Sida) has announced a voluntary contribution of 10 million Swedish crowns - approximately 1.1 million Euros - to the Trust Fund for Victims at the International Criminal Court.

The announcement was made by the Swedish Government at the occasion of the 10th annual meeting of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute, which established both the Court and the Trust Fund.

(Stockholm /Geneva/New York, 9 December 2011): Under-Secretary-General and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Valerie Amos, welcomed Sweden’s announcement of an additional US$10 million contribution to the Horn of Africa crisis.

“The Horn of Africa region continues to face the largest humanitarian crisis in the world, with four million people in need of urgent humanitarian aid in Somalia alone. Sweden’s contribution is vital if we are to sustain the fragile progress made this year,” emphasized Valerie Amos at the end of a two-day visit to Sweden.

The Government today adopted a revised and extended cooperation strategy for Swedish aid to Afghanistan. This is an important part of the gradual transition from military to increased civilian involvement. Sweden will increase its aid to northern Afghanistan, strengthen support to civil society in Afghanistan and intensify efforts to fight corruption.

In order to ensure food production in the arid Burkina Faso you need to be able to store water between the rain periods. The small-scale water reservoirs are therefore important for people in rural areas and more drain-off reservoirs will be repaired and new ones will be built under the Sida-funded water reservoirs project.

Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson will visit Libya today, Tuesday 1 November. During her visit, Ms Carlsson will meet representatives of the Libyan National Transitional Council, the UN and civil society.

"Sweden has a broad commitment to Libya. I am going to Tripoli to highlight Sweden's support for a free and democratic Libya and to discuss our future cooperation. I also want to follow-up our extensive humanitarian initiatives," says Ms Carlsson. Sweden's contribution

Farm investments today can prevent food security crises tomorrow

13 October 2011, Mwingi, Kenya - With the October rainy season starting, FAO is helping more than 5 000 vulnerable farming households in eastern Kenya terrace their fields to conserve rain water for crop use and prevent the soils from being washed away. They are also building simple dams for better harvesting of rain water.

In return for their labour, the farmers receive vouchers that can be redeemed for food as well as building materials for the community-owned dams.

Press release
20 September 2011
Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Government initiatives in development cooperation

Sweden is to contribute SEK 40 million this year via the EU financing mechanism PEGASE (Palestinian-European Mechanism for Management of Socio- Economic Aid) in direct support to the Palestinian Authority. The support will go towards salaries and pensions for employees in the Palestinian administration.

"The Palestinian Authority has made great progress in its state-building efforts and I think it is important that Sweden continues to support their work", says Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson.

Drought in the Horn of Africa has left 12.4 million people in need of help. While international attention to the emergency has peaked in recent weeks, CERF funds have been addressing the crisis since rainfalls failed at the end of 2010. More than $94 million dollars has been allocated to drought-affected countries this year.