Sweden to give A?11 million to UN efforts in Sudan

STOCKHOLM, May 25, 2005 (AP) — Sweden’s official aid agency said Wednesday it will give 100 million kronor (A?11 million; US$14 million) to support U.N. peace and relief efforts in Sudan.

U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan last month said US$2.6 billion (A?2 billion) was needed by 2007 to help Sudan, much of it as immediate cash to prevent 2 million people in the south from running out of food.

The Swedish aid agency, Sida, said half of its aid would go to southern Sudan, where a peace accord signed in January ended a 21-year civil war. The rest would go to U.N. efforts in the western Darfur region and other parts of the country, Sida said.

“The conditions have improved for the aid to really reach people all over the country. That is a positive development and we want to support it and the U.N.’s working plan by increasing the resources,” Sida spokeswoman Ulrika Johansson said.

At least 180,000 people have died — many from hunger and disease — and about 2 million others have fled their homes in Darfur to escape a conflict between rebels and pro-government militia.