Norway signs agreement to provide NOK 1 billion to repair damaged infrastructure in Ukraine
Press release | Date: 09/12/2022 | Ministry of Foreign Affairs
‘There is an urgent need to repair the electricity supply system and other infrastructure in Ukraine following Russia’s bombing campaign against civilian targets. I am pleased that we have signed an agreement today to provide NOK 1 billion to help get repair work under way quickly,’ said Minister of Foreign Affairs Anniken Huitfeldt.
The agreement was signed in Oslo by Ms Huitfeldt and World Bank Regional Country Director for Eastern Europe, Arup Banerji.
‘The World Bank is an organisation that has a proven ability to deliver and has rapidly mobilised substantial funding to help Ukraine. Channelling funding through the World Bank ensures that it will be used effectively and for the agreed purposes. It also ensures that our efforts are coordinated with those of other donors, and that the support we provide delivers maximum results,’ said Ms Huitfeldt.
The new allocation from Norway is being channelled through the World Bank’s multi-donor Ukraine Relief, Recovery, Reconstruction and Reform Trust Fund (URTF). The World Bank will use this fund to continue to mobilise crisis support to the Ukrainian authorities alongside support for repairs to critical infrastructure and more long-term reconstruction.
Russia’s war on Ukraine is having a dramatic impact on the Ukrainian economy. As a result of targeted attacks on civilian infrastructure, there is an urgent need for repairs and reconstruction. These attacks also have serious humanitarian consequences, and the situation is exacerbated by the onset of winter and cold weather. The Norwegian funding will be used to provide World Bank grants offering flexible support for repair, rehabilitation and preparations for reconstruction of critical infrastructure.
Norway has previously provided NOK 300 million in budget support to the Ukrainian government administration via the World Bank. This funding has been used to pay salaries for health care personnel, teachers and public sector employees, as well as for payment of pensions and social benefits.
So far, the Norwegian Government has allocated a total of NOK 13.7 billion in support to Ukraine and its neighbouring countries for 2022 and 2023. For more information about how this support is being used, see Norwegian support to Ukraine and neighbouring countries - regjeringen.no.