The Swedish government has announced a contribution of SEK 40 million to support the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in its ongoing humanitarian efforts in Gaza. This funding will address urgent needs for winter-related supplies, including protection, education, and psychosocial support for children affected by the ongoing conflict.
“Children in Gaza are enduring unimaginable hardships due to the prolonged conflict, and the coming winter will only make their suffering worse. This humanitarian assistance from Sweden will help UNICEF provide vital support, including warm clothing, shoes, educational resources, and essential psychosocial care. On my recent visit to the region, I emphasized the necessity of an immediate ceasefire and unhindered humanitarian access. It is critical that the international community ensures that all children, particularly in Gaza, receive the aid and protection they need,” said Benjamin Dousa, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade.
The funding comes as UNICEF faces an increasingly urgent need for resources to assist children whose lives have been deeply affected by the ongoing hostilities. With the majority of schools either destroyed or repurposed as shelters for displaced families, access to education has been severely disrupted. UNICEF is working to provide education and recreational activities in temporary facilities, primarily tents, but the harsh winter weather is making these efforts even more challenging. The Swedish support will enable the organization to provide essential heated shelters and weather-resistant structures to protect children from the cold and rain.
The humanitarian aid will also help meet the pressing need for warm clothing and footwear, ensuring that children are better equipped to survive the winter conditions. In addition, UNICEF will continue its crucial work in delivering psychosocial programs aimed at helping children cope with trauma, particularly those who have been orphaned or separated from their families during the conflict.
This funding builds on Sweden’s broader, long-standing commitment to providing humanitarian assistance in Gaza. Since the conflict intensified in October 2023, Sweden has contributed over SEK 630 million in targeted humanitarian aid to the region. As one of the largest contributors to core funding for international organizations operating in Gaza, Sweden remains committed to supporting efforts to alleviate the suffering of civilians, particularly children, and advocating for compliance with international humanitarian law.
Sweden’s support underscores its commitment to ensuring that vulnerable populations in conflict zones receive the necessary resources to rebuild their lives and regain a sense of security.