HELSINKI, May 15 (Xinhua) -- Sweden will increase its funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), Swedish International Development minister CarinJamtin said in Stockholm Monday.

    Jamtin said after meeting with UNRWA head Karen AbuZayd that this year Sweden will donate 230 million Swedish kronor (40.25 million U.S. dollars) to the Palestinians through the UN Relief and Works Agency, 30 million kronor more than the amount of last year.

    Further emergency funding would also be available if necessary,Jamtin added.

    A financial crisis emerged in the Palestinian territories aftera Hamas-led government took office in March, and there is a huge demand for humanitarian aid, said AbuZayd.

    Meanwhile, Norway's Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere announced last week in Oslo that the Norwegian government will increase its donation to 150 million kroner (24.5 million U.S. dollars after meeting with AbuZayd in Oslo. Enditem