ISLAMABAD, Oct 7: The Swedish government has decided to contribute an additional 200 million Swedish kronor (approx US$20 million) towards humanitarian assistance related to the crisis in Afghanistan.

A press release issued here by the embassy of Sweden said that this sum was in addition to the 125 million Swedish kronor already allocated this year for assistance to Afghanistan.

“Sweden is well-prepared to participate in the international humanitarian actions that are under way and expanding,” Ms Maj-Britt Klingvall, Swedish minister for development cooperation points out.

The Swedish agency for development and cooperation, Sida, decides how the money should be spent.

The funds are intended mainly for people inside Afghanistan, particularly groups affected by the drought and to prepare them for the harsh winter round the corner.

Sweden has been supporting humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan for more than 20 years to the tune of US$10-12 million a year.