Finland blocks €4.2 million in aid for Somalia
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Caasimada Online
Finland refuses €4.2 million in grants for seven aid projects in Somalia. The decision comes amid a dispute over the return of Somali nationals ordered to leave Finland, according to statements by minister Ville Tavio and the Finnish press.
Finland on Monday refused to fund seven aid projects in Somalia for a total of €4.2 million, as part of a funding call covering 2027-2030. Finnish Development Minister Ville Tavio announced his decision on Facebook, linking it to the return of Somali nationals subject to orders to leave Finland, Caasimada Online reports.
The Finnish Foreign Ministry had recommended awarding €2.2 million to four of the seven projects, according to Finnish daily Ilta-Sanomat. The other three applications received low scores in the ministry officials’ assessment, Ville Tavio’s adviser Tuomas Tähti told the newspaper.
Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said on Tuesday that Ville Tavio’s decision fell within his powers, while also saying the decision and its grounds needed to be examined, according to Finnish newspaper Suomenmaa and public broadcaster Yle.
The projects concerned include vocational training and an employment programme worth nearly €1.2 million run by the Finnish Somalia Network, as well as projects on maternal care, mental health, waste management and the prevention of gender-based violence. Physicians for Social Responsibility Finland has worked since 2019 with a local partner on mental healthcare in Somaliland.
