Norway allocates NOK 35 million for emergency measures in Greece

‘The humanitarian situation for many of the refugees and migrants in Greece is serious, and emergency measures are needed. The situation is particularly dire along the border to Macedonia,’ said Foreign Minister Børge Brende.

Of the total allocation of NOK 35 million, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has earmarked NOK 5 million for the Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection (DSB) to support its participation in the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. The remaining NOK 30 million will be used to provide emergency humanitarian aid through organisations that are already operating in the Greece.

No decision has yet been made on which organisations the funding will be channelled through. Norway is already financing personnel in NORCAP (the Norwegian Refugee Council’s emergency standby roster), and supporting the Red Cross’s activities in Greece. The Norwegian Society for Sea Rescue (Redningsselskapet) has also been allocated funding.

In addition, Norway is providing NOK 31 million under the EEA and Norway Grants to help strengthen reception capacity and registration of asylum seekers in Greece. Norway has supported Greece for a long time in its efforts to deal with the refugee crisis, and our contribution has now reached a total of NOK 240 million.