​SEK 60 million a year for work with refugees

 

Since 2015 the Church of Sweden has focused particularly sharply on work with refugees and asylum seekers. Via our partners we have a presence in conflict-stricken countries, refugee camps and along the escape routes in Europe. In Sweden parishes offer language training and meeting places of various kinds, psychosocial support, practical day-to-day help and opportunities for children to play.

The Church of Sweden has a presence where there is the greatest need, in refugee camps in and around Syria, Iraq and the Horn of Africa. We support emergency humanitarian initiatives and conduct long-term work with people who are fleeing.

Last year’s General Synod earmarked SEK 75 million for this extensive task. Due to the fact that there continues to be widespread need in the work with refugees and asylum seekers, the General Synod has now resolved to earmark SEK 60 million per year, up to and including 2019.

“I am pleased about the decision of the General Synod, which makes it possible to safeguard this important work in the long term. As a church, it is our duty to stand up for the equal worth of all people and for human rights, and to work with the basic causes of the current flows of refugees,” says the Chair of the General Synod Karin Perers.

The General Synod has given the Central Board of the Church of Sweden the task of deciding on how the funds should be distributed.