Humanitarian Issues
Norwegian foreign and international development policy has as one of it main objectives to contribute to with saving lives, alleviating war and protecting those who are in danger. We seek to strengthen and broaden global humanitarian action to achieve this. Norway’s Humanitarian Policy is to be a principled humanitarian policy actor and a predictable, transparent financial donor in meeting the changes and challenges of the humanitarian landscapes. In cooperation with others, Norway will contribute to : •Ensuring that people in need receive the necessary protection and assistance •Financing humanitarian assistance based on the principles of humanity, impartiality and neutrality •Equipping the international community to meet future global humanitarian challenges, including stronger coordination and cooperation with states and NGOs •Preventing and responding to humanitarian crises, and initiate the recovery of communities afterwards In order to achieve this, Norway’s priorities include the need for broad humanitarian alliances, strengthening of international humanitarian law and humanitarian disarmament. The UN has a key role in the Government’s humanitarian policy. Supporting other key humananitarian actors like the Red Cross and NGOs like Norwegian Refugee council is also a central part of of Norway’s humanitarian efforts.
The joint launch of the revised response plans for humanitarian assistance in Syria and the neighbouring countries for 2013 show a dramatic increase in needs. Read more
Around 200 people came when Norway, together with UNISDR, recently held a consultative event on Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction: Creating a Coherent Approach to Climate Change. Read more
The conference «Reclaiming the Protection of Civilians under IHL» will take place in Oslo 23-24 May 2013. The mission in Geneva recently held an information meeting to encourage a broad participation. Read more
“The refugee crisis in Syria is on its way to becoming the worst since the Second World War. The Government is therefore increasing Norway’s assistance by NOK 100 million,” announced Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide. Read more
The Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Espen Barth Eide, hosted 4-5 March 2013 an international Conference on the Humanitarian Impact of Nuclear Weapons in Oslo. Delegates from 127 countries as well as several UN organisations, the International Red Cross movement, representatives of civil society and other relevant stakeholders participated. Read more
The 56th Meeting of the UNHCR Standing Committee took place in Geneva 5-7 March. The committee is discussing the UNHCRs refugee response in different regions and on global level in addition to governance issues. Read more
OCHA hosted the 7th Syrian Humanitarian Forum in geneva on 19 February. Ambassador Kongstad made a statement on behalf of Norway focusing on the role and situation of Syrian women and girls. Read more
The Norwegian Government is to contribute NOK 30 million to the UN trust funds for Mali. The Government is also willing to consider a contribution if the proposed UN-led peacekeeping operation to Mali is established. Read more
IOM held its 101st council session in Geneva 27-30 November 2012. The Norwegian Permanent Mission to the UN in Geneva, The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and The Norwegian Immigration Authorities participated in the session. The Norwegian statement may be found below. Read more
UNHCR held its 63rd Session of the Executive Committee of the High Commissioner's Programme in Geneva 1-5 October. State Secretary Gry Larsen submitted Norway's statement during the general debate.
Close to 250 representatives of states, international organizations, civil society and academia participated at “Moving to Safety: Migration Consequences of Complex Crises,” an International Dialogue on Migration (IDM) 2012 workshop organized by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Ambassador Steffen Kongstad moderated the first session of the workshop, which looked at immediate... Read more
During the Ministerial Meeting of UNHCR in Geneva 7-8 December, Norway pledged to work with relevant actors to obtain a better understanding and raise awareness of the protection needs of people displaced externally owing to sudden-onset disasters, including where climate change plays a role. Read more
In a statement under the International Protection debate at the 62nd session of UNHCR's Executive Committee on October 5, 2011, Norway called for better protection of unaccompanied refugee children. It was announced that the Norwegian government will present a White Paper regarding unaccompanied and separated children later this year. Read more
In a statement under the General Debate at the 62nd session of UNHCR's ExCom, Norway called for a stronger UN presence in Somalia, and urged UNHCR to seek new methods to reach out to the increased number of displaced people in South Central Somalia. Read more
"The extent of the crisis will be worse than first assumed. We have therefore decided to increase Norway’s contribution by NOK 30 million, bringing the total up to NOK 263 million," said Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. Read more
Norway with reaffirmed support for UNHCR’s protection mandate. Read more
Expression of support for UNHCR’s role. Read more
“I am concerned about the situation in Kyrgyzstan. Large numbers of people in the south of the country have been caught up in the recent violence, resulting in urgent humanitarian needs,"said Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. Read more
Norway will be an important partner for Haiti in the country’s reconstruction efforts following the disastrous earthquake in January. Read more
The Government has proposed increased funding to Haiti in its revised budget for 2010. Read more