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.
Norwegian aid to the earthquake victims in Haiti is to be increased to NOK 100 million (USD 17.5 millon). Read more
The earth quake in Haiti is a humanitarian disaster striking a people living in poverty. Norway will contribute NOK 40 million to imminent relief efforts. Read more
In her statement to UNHCR’s pledging meeting on December 8th, Ambassador Angell Hansen pledged 290 million Norwegian kroner in an un-earmarked contribution towards all four pillars constituting UNHCR’s 2010 annual budget. Read more
12 million people in Africa are forcibly displaced within their own countries by armed conflict and war. African countries have now agreed to strengthen the rights of the internally displaced. Read more
Minister of the Environment and International Development Erik Solheim has pledged 20 NOK million in emergency relief to Indonesia and the Philippines. These densely populated countries have been struck by two major natural disasters in the space of a few days’ time. Read more
In the statement under International Protection at the 60th session of UNHCR's EXCOM, Norway voiced concern over highly divergent refugee recognition rates among European countries and called for efforts towards a more harmonised Eropean practice. Also highlighted was the exceptionally sharp increase in asylum seekers, including unaccompanied minors, arriving in Norway. This has put huge strain... Read more
In her statement to the "60th Session of the Executive Committee of the high Commissioner's Programme, Norwegian Deputy Foreign minister, Ms Gry Larsen, pledged continued Norwegian support to the office - both politically and financially. Among other matters she encouraged UNHCR to contribute towards a more predictable approach with regard to protection of IDPs in natural disasters. She also... Read more
Strong support to ongoing reform efforts. Call for increased efforts with regard to Results-Based Management framework as well as swift implementation of the recommendations contained in the report of the Boards of Auditors and the OIOS. Read more
In the face of multiple challenges Norway is convinced that UNHCR is now moving in the right direction. Norway stands ready to support UNHCR in conducting a survey on how best to prepare for an expected increase in climate-related conflicts and is eagerly following the organisation's work to mainstream gender equity within its own ranks. Read more
The new Norwegian Humanitarian Policy paper was launched by Foreign Minster Støre on 15 September 2008 and is now available in English. Read more
Humanitarian crises are increasing in number and complexity. The international community is increasingly facing situations where fragile states are affected by conflicts and natural disasters at the same time. This calls for a rethinking of policies and approaches. Read more
At the December 9 pledging meeting, Norway announced a contribution of NOK 290 million (approximately, 41, 5 million US $) to the Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees and its 2009 appeal. The pledge represents an increase in NOK 50 million or about 17 % in Norway's non-earmarked core contribution to the Office. Read more
Call for reintensified effort to address protracted refugee situations. Support to the High Commissioner's upcoming dialogue on protection and expressed need to scrutinize the usefulness of and the process in which EXCOM conclusions are elaborated. Read more