Sweden plans to end development phase aid to Iraq

• Sweden to phase out development aid to Iraq over the next year.
• The aid package currently amounts to around 190 million Swedish crowns ($18 million).
• The total aid will decrease to approximately 100 million crowns by June 30, reducing the aid's effectiveness.

On Wednesday, the government announced that Sweden will phase out development aid to Iraq over the coming year, focusing instead on providing more effective support to fewer countries. “Sweden has contributed both humanitarian support and development aid to Iraq for many years,” Johan Forssell, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, said.

“The conditions have changed and Iraq is now a middle-income country with good resources to support its population.”

The government stated that its current aid package to Iraq totals around 190 million Swedish crowns ($18 million) annually. Next year, the total will decrease to approximately 100 million crowns, with aid being phased out by June 30, according to the government.

Sweden, home to around 200,000 people either born in Iraq or with an Iraqi-born parent, currently provides aid to around 100 countries. Forssell stated that the money was too widely spread to be effective.

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