Foreword

Humanitarian needs are increasing drastically. This is primarily due to a large number of armed conflicts. Presently, there are more than 110 ongoing armed conflicts globally, and the number of armed groups has sharply increased. The United Nations estimates that around a quarter of the world’s population, 2 billion people, live in areas affected by conflict. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees estimates that there will be 130 million forcibly displaced people within their own country or across borders by the end of 2024. The safety of humanitarian workers is increasingly threatened, and the respect for international humanitarian law and the humanitarian principles is being challenged. Accelerating climate change is also a significant trigger for crises, exacerbating existing humanitarian needs.

It is important for the Government to contribute to reducing humanitarian needs and to address the causes of forced displacement. We will strengthen humanitarian aid. We will act in solidarity with, and take our share of, the responsibility for displaced people. The majority of displaced people are either internally displaced or living in neighbouring areas. The Government has established a solidarity fund to improve the conditions for displaced people, and to enable low-income countries hosting large numbers of refugees to take better care of them.

Commitment to, and support for, persons affected by humanitarian crises and armed conflict are closely linked to Norway’s efforts to promote key foreign policy interests such as peace, security, sustainable development and an international order based on international law. The humanitarian policy is a key component of Norway’s foreign policy.

With this Strategy, we want to set the course for Norway’s humanitarian policy and efforts for the coming years, and highlight some priority areas that can help to address the greatest humanitarian challenges of our time. The Strategy will form the basis of all our partnerships and all management of humanitarian funds.

First, we will continue to prioritise the urgent need to protect civilians from harmful effects caused by the use of military force, and other forms of violence and abuse, that currently characterise conflict-affected countries and regions. We will place particular emphasis on combatting sexual and gender-based violence; the protection of children and young people the protection of refugees and internally displaced people, the protection of health and educational institutions as well as the humanitarian consequences of mines and other explosives, and the particular consequences of urban warfare.

Second, we will strengthen our efforts to combat hunger. One of the most disheartening features of today’s world is the sheer number of people affected by food shortage and hunger. Unfortunately, this situation has drastically deteriorated over the past five years. At the beginning of 2024, more than 300 million people in 72 countries are affected by food crises. Climate change will make these efforts even more important.

Third, we will contribute to reducing the gap between increased humanitarian needs and available resources. Norway’s humanitarian budget will remain at a high level in the years to come. We will continue to be a major humanitarian donor to the United Nations, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and non-governmental humanitarian organisations. We will continue to be a predictable and flexible donor, to enable our partners to respond rapidly to changing humanitarian needs. At the same time, we will work to reduce humanitarian needs through a comprehensive approach. We will demand quality and results. This includes clear expectations regarding good systems and practices to prevent and respond to sexual abuse.

A mid-term review of our previous humanitarian strategy (2019–2023) was conducted in 2021. Among other things, it concluded that Norwegian leadership and commitment to the protection of civilians, have yielded positive results. It recommended that Norway assume a prominent leadership role in a few selected areas where financing, partnerships and policy development are combined. The review also pointed out that our comprehensive approach policy should be more clearly defined.

It is precisely a comprehensive policy approach that is required to reduce needs over time, and to identify durable solutions for refugees and internally displaced. It is also crucial to improving the capacity of local communities in low-income countries, to better manage the needs of both the local population, displaced people and migrants. The causes of humanitarian crises and armed conflicts are complex. We cannot prevent, remedy or solve them by humanitarian means alone. A separate chapter on our comprehensive approach provides overall guidance and describes how all of our policy instruments must be involved and interact. In the operational Part II of the Strategy, we have established and clarified how a comprehensive approach must be operationalised in all aspects of our humanitarian efforts.

Norway has a long-standing tradition of humanitarian leadership and funding. We also have a tradition of being a principled actor. The objective of Norway’s humanitarian efforts will therefore continue to be saving lives, alleviating suffering and upholding human dignity in humanitarian crises in accordance with international humanitarian law and the humanitarian principles.

We would like to thank all the organisations that have provided important input to Norway’s new humanitarian strategy.

Espen Barth Eide

Anne Beathe Tvinnereim