New three-year cooperation agreement with Norwegian Refugee Council
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Published under: Solberg's Government
Publisher: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Press release | Date: 17/03/2016
‘Through our cooperation with the Norwegian Refugee Council, we assist people who have had to flee their homes in some of the areas of the world that have been worst hit by conflict and crisis. The Norwegian Refugee Council is one of our most important partners in our efforts to alleviate the crisis in Syria,’ said Minister of Foreign Affairs Børge Brende.
The agreement between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Norad and the Norwegian Refugee Council covers the period 2016-2018 and is a continuation of the previous three-year agreement. Under the new agreement, the annual contribution amounts to NOK 371 million. This is an increase of NOK 19 million annually compared to the last agreement. The agreement covers cooperation in several key areas, including strategic cooperation on education in conflict situations, in line with the Government’s efforts to promote global education.
‘This agreement will help to secure predictable funding for the Norwegian Refugee Council’s work in areas affected by major humanitarian disasters. It also supports the organisation’s work to alleviate forgotten crises,’ said Mr Brende.
In addition to the funds provided under the long-term cooperation agreement, the Norwegian Refugee Council receives support for its work in acute humanitarian crises. In 2015, the organisation received a total of NOK 750 million in support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Norad. These funds were used to provide humanitarian aid and other forms of assistance to over 1.2 million people in more than 20 countries.