SEK 555 million in new humanitarian aid for Gaza

“After two years of war, the situation for children in Gaza is horrific. Virtually all schools in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed and health care for children is extremely limited. So Sweden is now moving forward with a major package to support children in Gaza,” says Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa. 

“Children in Gaza are and have been extremely vulnerable over time. They need health care, safety, food and the opportunity to attend school. With this support, we are helping to meet their most urgent needs and give them a chance of recovery and belief in the future, not least through nutrition and knowledge,” says Aron Emilsson, foreign policy spokesperson for the Sweden Democrats. 

“Children are always the hardest hit in war and conflict. What they go through as children will affect them for the rest of their lives. It is therefore absolutely vital that they receive support to enable them to lead as normal a life as possible, with play, school, medical care – and psychosocial support to process traumatic experiences. In addition to the support the Swedish Government is now allocating, it’s extremely pleasing that the business sector is also providing large sums of money. Society as a whole will benefit from this,” says Gudrun Brunegård, development assistance policy spokesperson for the Christian Democrats.

“You don’t get a second chance to educate a child. You can’t make up for years of lost schooling. The situation for children in Gaza has been horrific, and in the midst of war and destruction an entire generation risks being deprived of its right to knowledge. Every child deserves safe schooling and opportunities to build their future through education. If this support can help more children return to school and resume their education it is extremely important,” says Fredrik Malm, foreign policy spokesperson for the Liberal Party.

Just over five months after the ceasefire in Gaza came into effect, children and families are still facing a humanitarian crisis, and improved education, medical care, housing and nutrition are fundamental for recovery. For more than two years, the majority of the 700 000 children of school age have missed out on their education and the stability and normality that school entails. The immediate threat of famine has been alleviated, but more than 100 000 children are still suffering from malnutrition. In addition, children’s access to health and medical care remains extremely limited. One of several challenges is in maternity and neonatal care, as children are frequently being born prematurely or with low birth weight as a result of the crisis. The situation for children in Gaza risks deepening traumatisation, ill health and long-term vulnerability. 

In light of the situation, the Government has decided on a comprehensive aid package of SEK 555 million in 2026 to give children and families the opportunity to return to some semblance of everyday normality. The aim is for around 150 000 children to have access to improved health care, around 50 000 children to be able to return to education and 80 000 children to benefit from nutrition initiatives in the form of school meals. The package will also enable about 1 000 families to move into temporary emergency shelters rather than tents. 

In addition to the Government’s new support, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs also has a partnership with UNICEF Sweden, which is working to mobilise additional funds from Swedish businesses and foundations.