New Humanitarian Aid Strategy

“The world is facing serious challenges with acute crises, reduced international funding and a lack of respect for humanitarian access and international humanitarian law. What is needed now is effective humanitarian assistance that is focused on saving lives and that ensures that all aid spending does as much good as possible. This is why the Government is presenting a new strategy for effective humanitarian assistance. Sweden will be a driving force for life-saving initiatives and the protection of the most vulnerable groups in a world that is burning,” says Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa.

The strategy has a clear focus on the humanitarian mandate: saving lives and alleviating suffering. New partnerships will be encouraged for a swift, precise and effective humanitarian response. 

“But principled action must also be transformative. Thus, cooperation with civil society organisations and local actors will increase. These actors have the knowledge of the local context, the network, are often first to respond, last to leave, and best placed to reach the most vulnerable, also in the hardest to reach areas,” says Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa. 

Sweden is also intensifying efforts to strengthen the respect for the humanitarian principles, international humanitarian law and humanitarian access. Swedish humanitarian aid shall reach those who need it the most.