The Norwegian Government launches humanitarian strategy

Today Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre launched the Government’s humanitarian strategy, entitled Norwegian Humanitarian Policy.

“This is the first time a Norwegian government has presented a comprehensive strategy for Norway’s humanitarian policy. The strategy places our humanitarian efforts within the framework of Norwegian foreign policy and provides guidelines for our efforts in this field in the years to come,” said Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.

“Norway has a long history as a leading humanitarian actor. The strategy will play an important role in assuring the quality of Norway’s humanitarian policy in the future. The purpose of the strategy is to define how Norway should deal with challenges related to humanitarian crises, conflicts and climate change and set priorities. The strategy provides clear guidelines for how Norway should address these challenges,” the Foreign Minister added.

Norway spends about NOK 3 billion on humanitarian efforts annually. The funds are split between the Foreign Minister’s and the Minister of the Environment and International Development’s portfolios.

The strategy places new demands both on us who work in the foreign service and on our partners in terms of improving the administration and quality of our humanitarian assistance. In addition, the strategy links our humanitarian efforts to our climate and development policies, particularly as regards prevention of humanitarian crises and adaptation to climate change. We are likely to see more flooding and drought and more extreme weather conditions in the future, and must thus be prepared for an increase in the number of natural disasters. We must therefore help to enable the international community to meet future global humanitarian challenges,” said Minister of the Environment and International Development Erik Solheim.