Sweden has reaffirmed its commitment to humanitarian assistance for crisis-affected populations, including those in Myanmar, even as it scales back long-term development funding across multiple regions.

According to reports by Sveriges Radio, the Swedish government will allocate approximately 2.7 billion Swedish kronor (SEK) in humanitarian aid in 2026. The funding is set to support urgent needs in 25 conflict-affected countries, with Myanmar among the key recipients.

The assistance will focus on essential services such as food, shelter, healthcare, and access to clean water. Other countries expected to benefit from the allocation include Sudan, Yemen, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, all of which are grappling with ongoing humanitarian crises.

The move comes amid a broader shift in Sweden’s foreign aid strategy, which has seen significant reductions in long-term development assistance. Funding for development programmes across Africa, Asia, and Latin America has been cut substantially, with aid to Africa alone reduced by 36 percent.

Sweden’s Minister for International Development Cooperation, Benjamin Dousa, said the government is prioritizing immediate humanitarian needs over long-term projects. He noted that Sweden is unable to fully compensate for funding shortfalls left by larger international donors and must therefore concentrate resources where they are most urgently required, including continued support for Ukraine.

According to ScandAsia, the policy shift reflects Stockholm’s effort to balance competing global demands, particularly in light of the ongoing war in Ukraine, which has prompted a reallocation of financial resources within Sweden’s aid budget.

The revised approach follows discussions held in September 2025, during which Sweden considered phasing out certain aid commitments to Myanmar in order to redirect funding. Despite those considerations, the government has opted to maintain humanitarian assistance, underscoring the severity of needs in conflict-affected regions.

The decision highlights Sweden’s evolving foreign aid priorities, as it navigates fiscal constraints while continuing to respond to escalating global humanitarian crises.

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