Forum on Afghan Refugees and Displaced Populations

Geneva 5.-6. October 2001

Mr. Chairman,

This meeting is organised at a crucial time. First of all I would like to thank Mr. Lubbers and Mr. Oshima for their initiative.

The international community has reached a cross road where human suffering calls anew for international solidarity and burdensharing. It is our duty to reach out to our fellow human beings in need.

Afghanistan’s neighbouring countries have long borne a heavy burden due to the untenable conditions in Afghanistan. Pakistan and Iran, in particular, had to accomodate high numbers of Afghan refugees in their countries. It is high time the international community acknowledges the highly commendable way in which they have dealt with the problem. In the present situation it is therefore of crucial importance that the international community cooperates with all Afghanistan’s neighbouring states to find solutions to existing and future humanitarian emergencies in the region.

Closing borders to refugees is not an acceptable or adequate response to the problem. In order to avoid such reactions, the international community must demonstrate its willingness to respond to the needs of the neighbouring states. My country, Norway, wishes to share the responsibility for these refugees by cooperating with Pakistan and Iran.

Mr. Chairman,

To be of assistance in the present situation, good team work is called for among the numerous agencies and organisations involved. Donors expect all actors to make efficient use of the available resources. This requires a rigorous coordination. Within the UN, the most competent agencies in any particular area should be made lead agencies.

We are now facing an immediate need for humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people. It is, however, imperative for the international community to also take into account the necessity for assistance beyond the present crisis in order to rebuild the wartorn country.

Mr. Chairman,

Norway has been involved in providing humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people for many years. So far this year we have contributed about 106 million kroner (about 13 million US dollars). In the present situation, we have said that we are prepared to allocate more resources and take more part in the international efforts to show solidarity with the Afghan people. It is of course hard to foresee how the Afghan crisis will develop in the coming months, and thus hard to plan for. However, we should try to prepare ourselves as far as possible.

I am pleased to announce that the Norwegian Government decided yesterday to allocate a further 200 million kroner (about 23 million US dollars) to humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan and for Afghan refugees in the region. These funds will be granted shortly, subject to parliamentary approval.

A substantial part of this contribution will be allocated through the UN. We believe that the international community should allocate sufficient funding to the UN, including to the UNHCR and OCHA, to allow these agencies to carry out their work without financial difficulties. Norway has also allocated funds in support of the work carried out by the ICRC in Afghanistan and by the NGO community.

This additional contribution brings Norway’s total commitment this year to 305 million kroner, or some 35 million US Dollars. I present this as a testimony of our determination to play a part in this united challenge.

Mr Chairman,

For more than twenty years, the international community has provided much needed humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan and to Afghan refugees. A number of actors had recently initiated steps to prepare for more sustainable development activities in Afghanistan. It is still my hope that we, in a not too distant future, shall be called upon to engage in the more constructive effort of rebuilding Afghanistan for the future.