Response to interpellation 2024/25:614 on the medical needs in Gaza
Translated from Swedish by AI; the translation may contain errors. The Swedish text is the original.
Summary AI, written in advance
1 KD argues that the humanitarian situation in Gaza is catastrophic and requires an immediate ceasefire and safe humanitarian access 1. 1 2 KD emphasizes that Sweden is one of the largest financiers of aid to Gaza 1 2. 2 KD argues that it is difficult to receive patients here as the focus must be on aid in the nearby area 2. 3 4 S demands that the government act more forcefully as Gaza's healthcare system has completely collapsed 3 4. 3 S highlights that Sweden has the capacity to receive injured children 3. 4 S argues that the blockade prevents life-saving supplies 4. 5 V believes that Sweden has a responsibility to evacuate and care for patients from Gaza 5. 5 V argues that there are no reasonable reasons for Sweden to refrain from receiving patients 5. 4 S considers it a major problem that the government has removed the funding from UNRWA 4. 4 6 S argues that Sweden needs to listen to the World Health Organization and the EU's appeals 4 6. 7 V argues that Sweden has double standards and that the government has withdrawn support for UNRWA 7. 8 KD argues that it is necessary for Sweden to strengthen its support 8. 8 KD stands behind the government's decision on which organizations are used as they are judged to be most effective 8. 9 KD argues that Sweden has acted within the framework of the EU's civil protection mechanism 9.
Written by AI in advance and may contain errors. The numbers lead to the speech a statement builds on; check against the text below.
Statsrådet Acko Ankarberg Johansson (KD)
Madam Speaker! Alexandra Völker has asked me whether I, within my area of responsibility, will work to ensure that Sweden receives patients in acute need of care from Gaza and so that Sweden can contribute in the long term to meeting the enormous medical needs that the use of explosive weapons has caused for the population in Gaza.
Madam Speaker! The humanitarian situation in Gaza is catastrophic. It is unacceptable that Israel for more than two months did not let in any humanitarian aid to the civilian population and that the aid that is now reaching is completely insufficient. A ceasefire is needed and immediate, safe, and lasting humanitarian access to alleviate the enormous human suffering. Civilians must be protected. All remaining hostages must be released – immediately and unconditionally.
Together with the EU, the government points out the importance of ensuring unimpeded access for large-scale humanitarian aid into and within Gaza in accordance with international humanitarian law. The government strongly condemns attacks against aid workers and continues to repeat that humanitarian and medical personnel must be protected and respected.
The government has since the beginning of the war supported the humanitarian response in Gaza with over 1 billion kronor. In December last year, the government decided to significantly strengthen its preparedness to support the response by allocating up to 800 million kronor for 2025 to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the region. At the beginning of March, the government decided on a first payment of 300 million kronor of these funds. In addition to this is the government's existing extensive core support to several large humanitarian actors on the ground. In order for the aid to reach its destination, the government also continues to drive the completely central issue of humanitarian access.
To assist the challenging healthcare situation, Sweden has, among other things, provided extra support to Unicef, which assists children and families with health and medical care and social support, to ICRC, which delivers life-saving medical equipment and healthcare support, as well as to UNFPA, which works with life-saving obstetric care, maternal health care, and newborn care.
Furthermore, the government has tasked relevant authorities to donate medical equipment through the EU's civil protection mechanism, which has resulted in Sweden donating requested medical supplies to Egypt, which is receiving patients from Gaza. The government does not rule out receiving patients for care in Sweden.
Sweden's humanitarian support to Gaza occurs both through targeted interventions and through flexible core funding, which humanitarian actors can use where it is needed most. At the same time, Sweden continues to provide long-term support to the region through development cooperation, for example within the health and healthcare sector. The will and the strength to help – Sweden has that.
Alexandra Völker (S)
Madam Speaker! ”Gaza has been transformed into a mass grave for Palestinians and people working there … Humanitarian organizations are struggling with a lack of security and a lack of equipment. This means that people have few, if any, options when it comes to access to care.”
So, Médecins Sans Frontières' coordinator in Gaza described the situation on the ground earlier this spring. Since then, the situation has worsened further.
What is happening in Gaza has many dimensions of suffering. With this interpellation, I want to focus on the enormous medical needs, the acute but also the long-term ones, on the long-term consequences for the at least 21,000 injured children so far, and on how Sweden can contribute.
According to Save the Children, at least 5,230 children in Gaza during 2024 suffered lifelong disabilities due to explosive weapons. The actual figure is likely much higher. These are children who have lost arms, legs, sight, or hearing – over 5,000 children just last year! These children have lost their homes. Many have lost close family members. Many are now orphans. Several have lost their entire family.
At the same time, they themselves have suffered major injuries that will affect them for the rest of their lives. We are talking about extensive injuries such as amputations, and in a place where the healthcare system is completely broken. We are talking about amputated children without a home to recover in, without food and medicine, and without the possibility of necessary medical care.
The children who are subjected to an amputation are in great need of healthcare, not only for the most acute phase but for a long time to come. The care you receive is of immense importance for future function and for how extensive the functional impairment will become.
I know this very well myself. As a child, I had large parts of my left hand amputated due to an accident, so I know what significance it has to have a specialized doctor who, with the right tools, can save as much of the function as possible. I know how important the follow-up is afterwards – to ensure that the wound heals as it should, that the body does not reject anything, and that it does not develop into a dangerous infection. I know how important the follow-up continues to be with a growing child's body. I also know how important access to rehabilitation is to learn to use one's new body.
One thing I really know is what a fantastic ability we in Sweden have, what fantastic orthopedists, occupational therapists and orthopedic technicians we have and how much we have to contribute.
My questions to the Minister for Health and Social Affairs are: If we in Sweden have the will and the strength, as the Minister for Health and Social Affairs expressed it in his statement, why do we not receive injured children from Gaza? And how does the Minister for Health and Social Affairs see that we can contribute in the long term to meet the enormous medical needs that Gaza's children will live with for the rest of their lives?
These children have already been deprived of almost everything. We can at least ensure that they receive the healthcare they need.
Håkan Svenneling (V)
Madam Speaker and Minister! It is a deliberate famine, created by Israeli politicians, that we see in Gaza. It is not a natural disaster or an accident that has happened, but it is entirely political decisions that have created the terrible humanitarian situation we see. Combined with military attacks, this creates a terrible situation, above all for the children who are in Gaza.
Achieving a ceasefire and putting an end to the genocide is the most important thing we in the international community can do now. It would allow us to get humanitarian aid to those who are suffering. We know today that it is Israel that is systematically blocking the humanitarian aid.
Madam Speaker! Sweden has a clear responsibility to evacuate and care for patients from Gaza in this catastrophic humanitarian crisis where healthcare has collapsed and thousands of people need urgent medical help. We are already doing this today to support the Ukrainian people, and we could do much to save lives in Gaza as well.
The European Commission has been clear in its appeal that we should receive the seriously ill and war-wounded, especially children, from Gaza. I believe that we as a country have a humanitarian obligation to step up.
There are no reasonable grounds for Sweden to refrain from accepting patients. Swedish healthcare has capacity. Region after region has clarified that they are ready to receive Gaza patients.
However, there is no ceasefire in Gaza right now, and that absolutely complicates evacuations. But it is not impossible. Several patients are already in Egypt today. By taking them from there, we would both ensure that they received better care and facilitate the healthcare in Egypt.
Furthermore, we must be ready for the day the ceasefire comes, and it will come sooner or later. Therefore, our authorities must already now be tasked with preparing for the reception of Gaza patients.
During the weekend, Madam Speaker, I watched the final episode of SVT's series Sverige och kriget. In the subsequent discussion, people spoke about the similarities between World War II and the situation today. Just as in World War II, Sweden is not at war today, but we influence and can influence where there is conflict, where there is war, and where genocide is occurring. Just as then, we can receive refugees, help people, and do the right things.
We also did wrong things during World War II, such as the Baltic handover or when the Red Cross, as the series showed, prioritized Swedes over, for example, French people. If we make mistakes, we can introduce double standards and act differently in different types of conflicts. Or we can act consistently to save human lives and stand up for all lives, regardless of where or with what motives they are in danger.
From the Left Party, we see that Sweden has a responsibility to act humanely and receive patients, especially children, from Gaza, particularly as the European Commission and the World Health Organization request it and many other EU countries are already taking their responsibility.
A genocide is taking place. We have a responsibility to save as many lives as possible. I hope that the Minister for Health and Social Affairs and the government take that responsibility. I do not care which minister in the government is responsible for this portfolio. I care that the Swedish government acts more forcefully than what is being done right now.
Statsrådet Acko Ankarberg Johansson (KD)
Madam Speaker! I thank the members who raise this question.
We are in complete agreement on demanding an immediate ceasefire and immediate humanitarian access – and not a small amount of access. Individual trucks have been allowed in, but now all gates must be opened so that everyone who is waiting – there are significant resources outside the borders of Gaza – can provide humanitarian aid. There must not be anything that stops the humanitarian access when the situation is this catastrophic. It is therefore not enough with the aid that is currently being attempted to get through. A completely open humanitarian access is required.
At the same time, one must protect all humanitarian personnel and healthcare personnel. It is part of humanitarian law that they must be respected. There are still certain laws that must be followed in war. One of them is that one must protect healthcare personnel and civilian personnel who are there to protect the population. One must return to what are normal forms even in a situation as difficult as it undoubtedly is on site.
Sweden's view is that we must continue to demand an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian access. We are therefore providing substantial support. Just as MP Svenneling said, it is necessary that we strengthen our efforts. We have done so. We have doubled the financial support to UN agencies operating on the ground. They must be able to enter with their aid shipments today. They are standing and waiting to be able to deliver the support that we have paid for.
Madam Speaker! Sweden is no small financier. We are one of the largest in the world in providing support to Gaza, and we will maintain that direction because it is exactly as the members highlight here. For ethical and humanitarian reasons, we must provide support to people who are vulnerable, are in great distress, and have lived in an indescribable situation for a long time.
The situation for children, which the members are highlighting here, is essential. Children living in war zones grow up with the idea that this is how the world looks. They learn to recognize what different sounds mean, for example, whether they should take cover and go to a protected place or not. Children should not have to carry such knowledge with them. Children should play freely, socialize with friends, and be like other children. That is far from the situation in Gaza. Therefore, the demands that the government sets are completely necessary. We have also doubled the humanitarian support so that it will be possible for people to receive medical care.
A question has also been asked about which countries have received patients. It is a few patients who have come within the framework of the EU's civil protection mechanism. Since the request came more than a year ago, 180 patients have been received. Quite few, in other words. And that is simply due to the difficulties. It is really difficult.
This spending of much time and resources on helping patients here would risk that we do not do what we should on-site. Now, it is only help in the local area, opening the borders so that all humanitarian aid comes in, that matters. Nothing else. One must get humanitarian access and protection for all healthcare personnel. That is what is truly urgent.
The government does not rule anything out moving forward, but it is not many countries that have received patients, especially considering the difficulties that exist in practical and legal terms. The government will return to the issue, and above all, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade are well-updated and have close contacts with those concerned to ensure that our support reaches its destination.
Alexandra Völker (S)
Madam Speaker! It is very good that we agree on the need for a permanent ceasefire and immediate humanitarian access. On that point, we are in complete agreement.
Since it is no secret that we Social Democrats wish and demand that the government acts more forcefully, but that is for this afternoon's debate with the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
The medical needs continue to grow in Gaza, while the humanitarian aid has been stopped from being let in and while the bombs continue to fall. Gaza's healthcare system has collapsed, while the care needs are increasing dramatically. None of Gaza's hospitals are fully functional. The blockade during the spring has made it impossible to get in vital supplies, for example antibiotics, painkillers and anesthetics.
At the same time as medical needs are increasing, the medical system, healthcare in Gaza, is being completely destroyed. Healthcare personnel are forced to work at risk to their own lives. Just during the last few months, we have repeatedly seen how healthcare and hospitals continue to be attacked, and it is completely unacceptable.
Israel has released an estimated more than 75,000 tons of explosive ammunition over Gaza. According to the UN, it will take up to 14 years to clear all weapons that have been used but have not yet exploded. This is not something that is just about here and now, but it is about both the acute crisis and what support we can provide long-term. This is what Gaza's children will live with for a long time.
The Minister for Health mentioned the humanitarian support that the government provides. Of course, we think it is good that the humanitarian support has increased to 800 million. But with that said, it is an enormous problem that the money has been removed from UNRWA, which has provided the first line of care. Sweden is the only EU country that has completely stopped the funding. The EU has, for example, decided to increase, and several EU countries have also done so.
Even though there is now legislation that absolutely complicates UNRWA's work, it is precisely UNRWA that every day, with its medical team, provides primary care to more than 16,000 people. If we are to talk about care, UNRWA is completely invaluable, and for that organization, the government has removed the funding. It is not only us who are saying this, but Diakonia, Médecins Sans Frontières in Sweden, Oxfam Sverige, Plan International Sverige, and Rädda Barnen currently have a joint statement where they emphasize how crucial UNRWA is precisely so that emergency aid can reach. Médecins Sans Frontières' secretary-general says that UNRWA is absolutely necessary for the organization to be able to provide humanitarian support in Gaza in an effective way.
I must ask a question. It is good that Sweden has donated requested equipment to Egypt. We shall support as much as we can. But does the Minister for Health mean that it is Egypt that is to take the entire medical responsibility? The UN's assessment at the beginning of the year was that 12,000 people were in need of medical evacuation. That is a figure that has undoubtedly increased after the last few months.
We understand that the situation is extremely difficult. But for every person who can receive help, every child who can be evacuated, an incredibly important effort is being made.
I have also not received any answer to my question about what Sweden will do in the long term.
Håkan Svenneling (V)
Madam Speaker! Healthcare has collapsed in Gaza, and we must absolutely continue to support and expand the support to Gaza and the healthcare that is being provided there. It is good that we can help on-site. It is in many cases orphaned children who need care and rehabilitation. But we must not create a contradiction between care in Gaza, in Egypt, or in Sweden. All parts will be needed to help and save human lives – save Palestinian lives.
It is tragic that we stand here now. This interpellation was submitted a long time ago, and the government's response is still that they will return to the issue. A much better message would have been that Sweden is ready to receive patients as much as possible. We cannot do everything, but we can do as well as we can. Norway has accepted, and Belgium, Germany, Italy, Spain and Slovakia have tried to take their responsibility. But Sweden is not on the list yet, and that is why we need this interpellation debate.
It is perceived that Sweden has double standards. When the government is so vague in its criticism of Israel and Israel's warfare, it is perceived as indirect support. When we support other countries with medical evacuations but not Gaza, it is perceived as double standards. When the government has smeared and withdrawn support for the most important humanitarian organization in Gaza in the form of UNRWA, it is perceived that way.
Sweden needs to do more. We need to increase our criticism of Israel, we need to increase the aid to Gaza and we need to receive Gaza patients, especially children. That is how we make a difference to stand up for international law and stand up to save human lives.
Statsrådet Acko Ankarberg Johansson (KD)
Madam Speaker! I thank the members for their supplementary remarks.
The situation for people in Gaza is catastrophic. When one cannot even trust that healthcare is protected, one is extremely vulnerable.
Let me refer to a healthcare exercise in Sweden. When I arrived there, the large flag with a red cross had been put up – the one that is always put up to symbolize that this is not to be touched because healthcare is being conducted here. That order we have had for a long time in war, namely that the healthcare facility and the healthcare personnel shall be protected.
Now we have seen in place after place in the world, also in Gaza, that one does not follow humanitarian law and does not respect that order. It is not just a question of breaking an order for which one can be punished, but every person who needs medical care is affected, those who work, the patients, everyone involved. The fact that one has gone through the barrier in so many places, that one does not respect that order but attacks medical facilities and medical personnel, is catastrophic for the entire world.
That is why it has been necessary for Sweden to strengthen its support, but it has been impossible to enter the Gaza Strip for several months. Therefore, our primary demand now is a ceasefire but also completely open humanitarian access, not a few transports but completely open access. All the organizations that exist, including with the help of our money since we are one of the largest donors in the world, need to be able to enter and provide their support to the population. Now, people have stood without help for several months. It has had consequences that perhaps cannot be repaired in hindsight.
Member Svenneling raises which countries have received [aid] through the EU's civil protection mechanism. I must say that Slovakia is not included, but it is possible that they have done so anyway.
The first time the EU issued its letter, the civil protection mechanism was not activated. I have many questions regarding why it was not done. Nor has any mass refugee directive been activated, or have the things been done that have facilitated and made it possible for us to receive medical evacuations from Ukraine. It is still a question that needs to be considered moving forward.
There must also be legal and practical possibilities to carry it out, so that the patients who need help can also receive that help within a reasonable timeframe, so that it does not have far-reaching consequences.
It is the government's assessment. I fully stand behind the decisions that the relevant ministers and the UD have made regarding which organizations are intended to be used to support the operations, because they are judged to be the most effective and can arrive on site.
But now – I want to repeat it, Madam Speaker – an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian access on a large scale are required, not just individual trucks.
Alexandra Völker (S)
Madam Speaker! In Expressen, we have been able to read about the acrobatic twins Ahmed and Mohammed – the acrobats with big dreams. Now Mohammed is no longer there, and Ahmed has lost both of his legs and large parts of his left hand and has several other major injuries.
Ahmed is in urgent need of care, but that care does not exist in Gaza. When he is asked what he would wish for if he were granted three wishes, he answers: that the war is stopped and that they lift the blockade, that those in his situation receive care abroad, and that he should be able to practice his hobby again. Ahmed and the other injured children in Gaza need care today, and they need care and help in the future.
We need to listen to the World Health Organization and to the EU's appeals. We need to listen to Vårdförbundet and the regions here in Sweden, who stand ready to help. Sweden has an enormous amount to contribute. We have a fantastic ability to help these children. We need to do this here and now, and especially when it, hopefully soon, becomes a permanent ceasefire.
But we also need to provide long-term support. These children will have these challenges for the rest of their lives. The needs will exist for the rest of their lives. And the healthcare in Gaza, which is shattered, will not reappear on its own. It will need to be rebuilt. Sweden and other countries that have the capacity will need to be an active part of that and really show and take responsibility.
I thank the Minister for Health and Care for the debate. I hope that in the final speech I might still be able to get answers on how Sweden can contribute in the long term.
Statsrådet Acko Ankarberg Johansson (KD)
Madam Speaker! I would like to thank the member who has raised this issue and submitted the interpellation.
I regret that I did not answer the question regarding Egypt. We have acted entirely within the framework of the EU's civil protection mechanism. When a request arrives, we assess whether we can respond to it. That is why we responded to the one from Egypt. They needed medical equipment to be able to assist those who, at those times, could get out of Gaza to receive help on site there.
When we say that we provide aid on the ground, it concerns what Egypt contributes; there we have been able to support in somewhat different ways, also with personnel to increase expertise. But it also concerns the aid we provide, of course primarily through the UN organizations that are present inside Gaza.
The most urgent issue now, however, is just getting in. There is so much aid outside. Furthermore, the few transports that have been released in are aid transports that did not at all seem purposeful for the mission, but which were added for other reasons. That is not what we want to see happen for the money that we have given.
We have chosen to provide extra support and not just core support, where we are large from the beginning and are one of the very largest actors, because we need to be able to help through UN agencies that are on site. They are used to doing this and know how to provide help when it comes to both food as well as healthcare and social support. When we have distributed money, it has been important for us that also organizations that work with social support in many ways are included.
Just as the member highlights, I believe that the long-term effect will be the greatest. What the children in Gaza need is hope, that something will become better in the future. In that case, a ceasefire must be achieved as soon as possible. They cannot feel hope if they are constantly being bombed. Humanitarian access must be secured, so that they at least see that there is a hope of returning to something that might be normal.
We need to help each other ensure that there is a stop to weapons and a stop to violence. And we need to ensure that we actually get humanitarian access. It could give the children in Gaza a beginning of hope.
Source: The Swedish Parliament. The speeches come from the open data of the Riksdag, translated into English by AI, which may contain errors.