Finland Times

 

International Development minister Pekka Haavisto. Photo – Str / Lehtikuva.

Finland is expanding its monetary support for the people of the countries faced with humanitarian situations, accounting for nearly one-fifth of the world population.

 

The Finnish authority emphasised on the international community’s need for supporting the people of those countries who are either facing or are recovering from conflict.

 

The work is guided by the publication Guidelines for Finland’s development policy and development cooperation in fragile states released on Tuesday, said an official press release.

 

“The need for assistance is diminishing in many of our traditional development cooperation partner countries. So it is wise to direct more assistance to countries where the need is even greater,” said Minister for International Development Pekka Haavisto.

 

“The development of the fragile countries is linked to issues directly affecting us as well, such as the matter of refugees,” he added.

 

In recent years, assistance given for development cooperation has already increased, for instance to Somalia, South Sudan and Afghanistan. In the future, input will rise, among others, in Somalia and Myanmar. 

 

The work will emphasise in particular the building of a constitutional state, education and gender equality as well as strengthening the countries’ financial base, for example through the development of taxation.

 

“In the long term, citizens’ confidence in the state will be increased by the fact that the State looks after their basic needs, offers means of livelihood, justice and security. This for its part will also prevent the rise of an environment favourable to conflicts,” the minister said.

 

According to the guideline, attention will be paid to better risk management and measures for minimising risks.

 

Conflict prevention is also a key priority for Finland. Special attention is paid to the role of the civil society in developing the fragile states.

 

Finland also promotes the development of fragile states through international networks. Development Minister Haavisto is currently the co-chair of the International Dialogue on Peacebuilding and Statebuilding (IDPS). The network brings together fragile states, donors and civil society actors.