NOK 10 million to Médecins Sans Frontières

“Norway is providing an additional NOK 10 million to Médecins Sans Frontières,” said Minister of the Environment and International Development Erik Solheim.

He made this announcement at the gala concert broadcast by the Norwegian television channel TV2 to raise funds for the organisation’s work.

“Médecins Sans Frontières works in areas where the needs are greatest.  Its aim is to provide essential medical assistance to those who need it most and who would otherwise not have received it,” said Mr Solheim.

Mr Solheim is impressed by the work done by Médecins Sans Frontières in areas affected by war and natural disasters. It also responds to crises that are not in the media spotlight. The areas where the organisation works rarely have proper roads or any form of health care.

“Médecins Sans Frontières is a neutral and impartial organisation whose work is based on universal medical ethics and the principle that everyone has a right to humanitarian assistance.  This is vital in order to ensure that those affected by many of the world’s most complex crises receive assistance,” said Mr Solheim.

The funds will be used to strengthen efforts to assist vulnerable groups in a number of countries. One of these countries is Haiti, which has now been struck by a cholera epidemic in the midst of reconstruction efforts following the earthquake.

Press contact: Communications Adviser Christian Grotnes Halvorsen, mobile: +47 481 53 748.