The Norwegian government has announced six new agreements with various Norwegian humanitarian aid organizations. According to the agreement, Norway will support these organizations with NOK 1.9 billion ($170 million) per year over the next five years (2025-2029), with a total budget of NOK 9.5 billion ($851 million).
Through this agreement, the government aims to ensure rapid, flexible, and targeted emergency assistance in a time of increasing global humanitarian needs and economic uncertainty.
The Norwegian humanitarian organizations included in the agreement are the Norwegian Refugee Council, Norcap, Norwegian Church Aid, the Norwegian Red Cross, Norwegian People’s Aid, and Save the Children Norway. According to Norway’s Minister of International Development, Åsmund Aukrust, these organizations were selected based on their ability to respond quickly to crises as they unfold and their presence in conflict areas where the most severe humanitarian crises are taking place.
Women queue to register for aid materials at a distribution centre run by Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) in South-Sudan. UN Photo/Zenebe Teklewold
300 million need humanitarian aid
The UN estimates that 300 million people will require humanitarian aid in 2025, but with rising unrest and escalating conflicts around the world, there is a risk that this number will increase. “The need for emergency aid is at a record high, and global funding for humanitarian work is more uncertain than it has been in a long time,” said Aukrust.
The Norwegian government hopes that the five-year aid plan will provide greater predictability for the organizations’ operations, allowing them to work more efficiently in crisis-affected areas.
Norway aims to strengthen their role as a provider of aid
The agreement ensures that Norway will not only increase its support temporarily but also establish itself as a respected and reliable actor in humanitarian aid, Aukrust emphasized. “Today, we show that Norway is a predictable donor that steps up in times of crisis,” he said. Aukrust added: “It is in Norway’s interest to contribute to a more stable world. Through partnerships with Norwegian organizations, Norway supports humanitarian efforts in around 40 countries. These organizations play a crucial role in upholding international law, including humanitarian law and human rights, in crises and conflicts. These principles and rules are being challenged and violated worldwide. Norway will stand against that.”
Earlier this month the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) was forced to suspend essential US-funded humanitarian work in nearly 20 countries affected by wars, disasters, and displacement. “These dramatic measures come in response to the stop, partial suspension, or lack of reimbursement of United States funding for our global humanitarian operations,” NRC said in a statement.
Humanitarian organizations are grateful for long-term funding
Jan Egeland, Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council, expressed his deep gratitude for the support. For the Norwegian Refugee Council, this agreement will provide predictability in its operations and, in turn, predictability for the people they assist. Additionally, the funding, which covers about 10% of their total budget, will enable the organization to continue supporting over 10 million people in need across 32 different countries. The agreements extend their partnership with the Norwegian state, which was established in 2020, and will strengthen Norway’s commitment to humanitarian aid.
Raymond Johansen, Secretary General of Norwegian People’s Aid, is also pleased with the agreement. Norwegian People’s Aid helped remove over 34,000 explosive devices last year. They are also key actors in providing food security to thousands in need and in the fight against gender-based violence.
These new agreements highlight Norway’s strategic approach to strengthening humanitarian response mechanisms, ensuring that emergency aid can be delivered more quickly and effectively in crises.
