The entire Swedish royal family is now doing a lot to try to help with the situation in Ukraine. King Carl Gustaf, Queen Silvia, Crown Princess Victoria, Prince Daniel and Princess Sofia have attended a meeting with aid organizations working in Ukraine or its neighbouring countries.
The meeting was arranged in the Bernadotte Library at Stockholm Royal Palace, to which representatives from 22 organizations as well as the Swedish Directorate for Children, the Director General of the Swedish Migration Agency and the ambassador for human trafficking issues at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs were invited.
The purpose of the meeting, which was held on the King and Queen’s initiative, was to contribute through the exchange of experience and collaboration to Swedish aid efforts to Ukraine strengthen children’s security and protection.
During the meeting, the King gave a speech in which he said: “Europe is in a difficult situation, where many people are suffering enormously. Not least the children. We are all deeply touched by what is happening now in Ukraine. You who are here today are making extremely important efforts to help. That is why the Queen and I have asked you to come here to the Castle today, to thank and encourage you”.
The invited organizations spoke about their activities in Ukraine and its neighbouring countries and what the needs look like on the ground. Particular emphasis was placed on the vulnerable situation of children – both in war-torn Ukraine, during the flight in or out of the country and on the ground in the countries of arrival. The Swedish Migration Agency’s director, General Mikael Ribbenvik was one of many that spoke at the seminar.
In addition, Queen Silvia spoke during the seminar. Her Majesty said: “Almost every second, a child in Ukraine becomes a refugee, according to Unicef’s calculations. I hope that today’s meeting will offer you an opportunity to exchange experiences, to identify what needs exist, and perhaps also to find new collaborations. All to be able to protect children even better”.
Similar meetings for the exchange of experience and collaboration between child rights organizations have previously been held in 2016 in connection with the refugee crisis and in 2019 and 2020 due to the covid-19 pandemic.
