Norway to sign agreements totalling NOK 1.9 billion per year to provide rapid, flexible and targeted humanitarian aid
Press release | Date: 17/02/2025 | Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Norway is entering into six new strategic partnership agreements with the following Norwegian humanitarian organisations: Norwegian Refugee Council, NORCAP, Norwegian Church Aid, Norwegian Red Cross, Norwegian People’s Aid and Save the Children Norway. The agreements cover a period of five years.
‘The need for emergency aid has reached an unprecedented level and global funding for humanitarian efforts is more uncertain than it has been for a long time. The agreements signed today show that Norway remains a reliable donor that maintains predictable support even in turbulent times. These organisations are at the forefront of Norway’s humanitarian efforts. Multi-year agreements equip the organisations to provide rapid assistance to people affected by crisis in some of the world’s most vulnerable areas,’ said Minister of International Development Åsmund Aukrust.
According to the UN, 300 million people will be in need of humanitarian assistance in 2025. The aim of the agreements is to save lives, alleviate suffering and protect human dignity and rights in humanitarian crises. At the same time, the agreements under the support scheme are designed to ensure that protection is provided to people in need in line with the humanitarian principles.
The agreements have a total budget framework of NOK 1.9 billion over a period of five years. Norway is thus maintaining a high level of predictable support for Norwegian strategic humanitarian partners.
‘Humanitarian action has never been more important. It is in Norway’s interests to promote greater stability in the world. Under its partnerships with the Norwegian organisations, Norway provides support for humanitarian efforts in some 40 countries. These organisations play an important role in defending international law, including international humanitarian law, and promoting respect for human rights in situations of crisis and conflict. These rules and principles are being challenged and violated across the world. Norway will stand up against such violations,’ said Mr Aukrust.
The organisations have been selected as strategic partners based on their ability to deliver assistance rapidly, their presence in conflict and crisis areas, and their in-depth insight and alignment with the goals of Norway’s humanitarian strategy. This selection process is intended to ensure the most effective use of Norway’s humanitarian funding.
The call for proposals and subsequent assessments were carried out by Norad, on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Established in 2020, the support scheme for the strategic partnerships has now been extended for a new period from 2025 to 2029. A total of 13 organisations submitted applications. The agreements will be finalised and signed in the coming weeks.
Background
Norwegian Refugee Council
Norway will support the efforts of the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) to protect and promote respect for the rights of people who have been forced to flee their homes in some of the world’s worst most dangerous conflict areas. The NRC provides assistance to some 10 million people in 40 countries and works to ensure that aid reaches the people who need it the most.
Norwegian People’s Aid
Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) is Norway’s most important partner in the efforts to protect people from explosive remnants of war. In 2023, NPA cleared 34 993 explosives. This makes communities safer and paves the way for development. NPA also provides assistance to people affected by humanitarian crises through its efforts to enhance food security and protection against gender-based violence. NPA has long experience of working with local organisations and in the area of locally led humanitarian response.
NORCAP
The NRC’s civilian task force NORCAP works to meet the needs of UN and other partners for highly qualified personnel in the humanitarian sector. NORCAP also develops new projects designed to enhance and increase the effectiveness of humanitarian action.
Norwegian Red Cross
The Norwegian Red Cross works to save lives and alleviate suffering by providing health services to vulnerable people in situations of war and conflict, and to enhance the protection of civilians. The organisation also works to ensure compliance with international humanitarian law across the world. In 2023, the strategic partnership with the Norwegian Red Cross helped to provide access to primary health services to 3 million vulnerable people with and hospital treatment to more than 7 500 people, including individuals with weapons injuries.
Norwegian Church Aid
Norwegian Church Aid works to combat sexual and gender-based violence, and to improve access to life-saving water and sanitation services. In 2023, Norwegian Church Aid provided specialised services to more than 82 000 survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.
Save the Children Norway
Save the Children Norway plays a key role in humanitarian efforts to protect children and education in situations of war and conflict. The organisation’s policy development efforts relating to the protection of children, for example in connection with the Safe Schools Declaration, are crucial. Previous support to Save the Children Norway has enabled the organisation to provide humanitarian assistance to 105 549 people, of whom 93 713 were children. The funding has also helped to provide access to education to 50 807 children and meet the protection needs of 33 196 children.