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Sweden to offer more aid to Syria

Margot Wallstrom Sweden has pledged to give a further 1.5 billion kronor (US$174m) to help war-torn Syria over the next few years, confirmed its foreign and development aid ministers.

Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom and the Minister for International Development Cooperation Isabella Lovin said the Scandinavian country was wanted to outline a “long-term, flexible aid strategy” in Syria.

Although they did not say when exactly the funds would be sent, they revealed that it would be put towards supporting democratic forces, alleviating suffering and helping the neighbouring countries cope with the influx of Syrian refugees and any spillover of violence.

The ministers went on to say that Sweden would be sending representatives to Kuwait to take part in a donor conference on the troubled Middle Eastern country.

They revealed that with the conflict currently worsening and spreading to neighboruing nations, Sweden would pledge 350 million kronor at Tuesday’s conference in humanitarian support, adding that this was up on the 270 million kronor it gave in humanitarian aid last year.

The ministers explained that Sweden was working alongside the UN to ensure refugees fleeing Syria were offered better conditions and that they would provide extra resources to help protect women and girls from kidnappings, sexual violence and forced marriages.