Sweden pledges $22m to improve infrastructure in Palestine

Sweden has donated 190 million krona ($22 million) to the Palestinian Partnership for Infrastructure Development Multi-Donor Trust Fund (PID MDTF) administered by the World Bank.

The donation provided by the Swedish Agency for International Development (SIDA) will support the Palestinian Authority to implement prior activities regarding water and urban development, carrying out reforms in the water sector and improving the harsh conditions of water and sanitation in the Gaza Strip.

According to a statement issued by the World Bank, the fund will support Palestinian local governments to improve service delivery and effective local governance through incentive programmes that link expenses with achievements.

PID MDTF was established in 2012 in order to improve coverage, quality and sustainability of infrastructure in the occupied Palestinian Territories through financial and technical support in the water, urban development and energy sectors.

The total amount allocated to PID MDTF is approximately $101 million, $40 million of which has been donated by Sweden.

Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, Netherlands, Norway and Portugal have also contributed to the fund.