Donors contribute to election budget

Guinea-Bissau has had commitments from donors totalling more than US $4 million for its 28 November elections, but as at 27 October, not all of the funds had been disbursed, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in its humanitarian situation report for 16-31 October. Sweden has pledged US $1.4 million and the European Union (EU) about US $670,000. The EU has provided another US $2 million through the UNDP, OCHA said. Other pledges include The Netherlands (US $465,000), Japan (US $240,000)and China (US $100,000), while Portugal, Brazil and NGOs will be giving in-kind assistance. Donor countries have also committed funds for electoral observation: France has provided US $160,000, Germany US $55,000, Sweden US $30,000 and the Communidad de paises de lingua portuguesa (PALOP) is providing US $10,000 in kind.