An international donors’ conference was held in support of those impacted by the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria today, Monday, March 20, at the invitation of the Swedish President of the EU Council and the European Commission.
Sweden presented its EUR 45 million in total, assistance during the Conference. The Conference received pledges totaling about EUR 7 billion.
According to Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, the main objective of the meeting was to put their sympathies and solidarity into action and offer a robust, effective, and well-coordinated response to assist those impacted by the tragic disasters. He also said that the Swedish EU Presidency is appreciative of the Commission’s helpful collaboration in organizing the summit, as well as highly impressed by the significant outcomes so far and humbled by the significant work still to be done.
According to Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell there has been a powerful outpouring of sympathy from the global world for the earthquake victims in Türkiye and Syria. These are crucial first measures in the relief and recovery process for the earthquake-affected regions. He said that the government is pleased to report that Sweden has now contributed a total of 45 million euros.
Through Sida and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sweden has already contributed over EUR 20.7 million for humanitarian aid. Sweden is currently providing an additional EUR 24.3 million, bringing its total financial assistance to EUR 45 million. Moreover, Sweden has provided non-financial assistance (people, equipment, and facilities) of about EUR 4.7 million.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and Ulf Kristersson, Prime Minister of Sweden and EU Council member, co-hosted the Donors’ Conference. Johan Forssell, the minister for foreign trade and international development cooperation, and Olivér Várhely, the commissioner for neighborhood and enlargement, served as the moderators.
Representatives of the EU Member States, candidate countries and potential candidate countries, neighboring and partner countries, G20 countries (with the exception of Russia), member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council, the United Nations, international organizations, humanitarian actors, and international and European financial institutions attended the Donors’ Conference.
