Freeway - Swedish aid helps Nicaragua develop

Swedish aid helps Nicaragua develop

The hurricane Mitch in 1998 caused big damages in Nicaragua to a cost of one billion dollars. Sweden has together with other countries arranged the international support for reconstructing. The achievement is the beginning of a long term countryside support.

Nicaragua is one of the poorest countries in Latin America and one of the countries which is most indebted in the world. The economy was slowly improving during the 90’s but for the poor people it hasn’t become any better.
In 1912 Nicaragua was ruled by the USA. During the civil war in 1926-1933 Augusto César Sandino fought against the occupation by USA. USA left Nicaragua after a president election in 1933.
The year after that Sandino was murdered by order from Somoza, a leader among the liberals.
In 1936 Nicaragua was ruled by Somoza after a coup. In 1972 there was an earthquake in Managua, the capital of Nicaragua, and the economical help from other countries ended up at the family Somozas bank accounts. More and more people didn’t like Somoza and in 1979 the Sandinists took the power.
In the end of 1970 Sweden began to give aid to Nicaragua during the fight against the Somoza dictatorship. The support grew into a long- term development cooperate during the Sandinist- government in the 80’s.

The help after the hurricane Mitch
Mitch is the worst hurricane that ever has hit Central America during the 20th- century. The

consequences in Nicaragua were devastating. 3000 people died and 40 000 houses were destroyed. Mitch affected 800 000 people in some way.
The Swedish government decided that the aid after Mitch shall have a long term perspective. The goal is to build a new and better society and create possibilities for a democratic, fair and durable development.
Sweden gives Nicaragua 43,5 million dollars. The aid to Nicaragua from all the countries is 1,08 milliard’s; divided on 3 years. All the countries have decided about what the goals should be for the aid.

Many people were affected by the hurricane Mitch.

Some of the goals are to reduce the poverty in the
country and contribute to the democratic development. The countries also support achievements that contribute to social and economical equalization.
In those goals are support to farmers, research, water, health and sanitary also included. Since Nicaragua doesn’t have any democratic traditions and the distrust between the government and the opposition is big different measures have been taken to deepen the democracy. The farmers get help with better technique and cultivation techniques that will lead to an increased productivity fertility for the farms and by that increase the farmers revenues. The aid to research goes to universities, equipment for libraries and laboratories.
Equality is also an important goal.
The new government that took power in 2002 has done important things to improve the poverty in Nicaragua.