Sweden to Phase Out Development Aid to Iraq by Mid-2024

Sweden will phase out development aid to Iraq over the coming year, the government announced on Wednesday, to concentrate on offering more effective support to fewer nations. "Sweden has contributed both humanitarian support and development aid to Iraq for many years," said Johan Forssell, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade.

Forssell noted that conditions have shifted, with Iraq now being a middle-income country with the resources to support its population. The current aid package stands at around 190 million Swedish crowns ($18 million) annually, which will be scaled back to approximately 100 million crowns by June 30, 2024.

Sweden, home to around 200,000 people either born in Iraq or with an Iraqi-born parent, presently extends aid to roughly 100 countries. Forssell remarked that the financial aid is spread too thinly to be truly effective. ($1 = 10.5483 Swedish crowns)

(With inputs from agencies.)