Norway to provide NOK 350 million to support work of International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in Ukraine
Press release | Date: 26/09/2023 | Office of the Prime Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Almost half of the population of Ukraine is in need of humanitarian assistance and protection. Today, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre announced that Norway will provide NOK 350 million to support the work of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in Ukraine. Prime Minister Støre made the announcement at a meeting with Director General of the Ukrainian Red Cross Society Maksym Dotsenko, and the Norwegian Red Cross.
'The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is providing invaluable support to Ukraine. The scale of humanitarian need as a result of Russia’s military aggression is enormous. The Red Cross staff and volunteers are demonstrating tremendous courage in their efforts to save lives and alleviate suffering every single day,’ said Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.
Seeking to help the people of Ukraine
The funding from Norway will be used to help provide services such as health care, shelter, psychosocial support, food, water and fill other essential needs for the population. The funding will also be used to help protect civilians, particularly the most vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly and people with disabilities. The Ukrainian Red Cross Society is the largest humanitarian organisation in the country and plays a key role in meeting Ukraine’s vast humanitarian needs. Altogether, the organisation comprises some 10 000 employees and volunteers.
Funds to support International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
The funding will be used to support the efforts of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Ukrainian Red Cross Society and will be channelled through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement has a unique network in Ukraine and has access to the capacity, tools and expertise needed to assist and protect civilians who are affected by the war.
The ICRC is an impartial, neutral and independent organisation that works to protect civilians and uphold humanitarian law through ongoing dialogue with parties to a conflict.
Norway co-hosting Third Humanitarian Senior Officials Meeting on Ukraine
This week the Third Humanitarian Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) on Ukraine is being held in Oslo. The meeting is co-hosted by Norway and the EU, and brings together approximately 80 delegations from a wide range of donor countries and humanitarian organisations, including UN organisations, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, and civil society. The Director General of the Ukraine Red Cross Society, Maksym Dotsenko, will also take part in the meeting.