The Ministry of Foreign Affairs had a meeting today with Norwegian NGOs involved in emergency relief efforts following the natural disaster in Asia. The purpose of the meeting was to exchange information and co-ordinate the use of the NOK 50 million allocated by the Ministry so far for the relief efforts.

“This meeting has given us an overview of what the various organisations are doing and what they are planning to do. The meeting shows that we agree on the description of the situation and the needs and reflects a common desire on the part of the organisations and the authorities to co-ordinate the relief efforts, between themselves, vis-à-vis the UN system and in relation to the local authorities. All the various actors are doing everything they can to ensure that the aid is as effective and closely targeted as possible,” said State Secretary Olav Kjørven of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Ten Norwegian organisations are involved in relief efforts in all of the affected countries. So far the main focus of these efforts is in Sri Lanka. However, active efforts are being made to get more emergency relief to Indonesia. Sri Lanka and Indonesia are the hardest hit by the disaster. The organisations report that many individuals and companies in Norway have expressed a strong desire to help.

In addition to the NGOs’ efforts, the Directorate for Civil Protection and Emergency Planning will set up a camp for aid workers in Aceh province on the island of Sumatra in Indonesia. On New Year’s Eve, seven Norwegian aid workers will travel to the province to assist in these efforts, and will have with them equipment for this purpose.

So far the Norwegian authorities have allocated NOK 50 million to the relief efforts after the tsunamis in South East Asia. Additional support is continually being considered.

Press contact: Information Adviser Odd Naustdal. Tel.: +47 22 24 30 12, Mobile phone: 91 14 94 90