Source: Royal Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs |

Removal of special entry restrictions for arrivals from Southern Africa

The special measures targeted travellers arriving from South Africa, Mozambique, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, and Malawi

The special entry restrictions that were introduced for travellers arriving from 8 countries in Southern Africa at the end of November will be removed. The measures were introduced to limit and delay the spread of the Omicron variant. The Norwegian Government is keeping the strict general entry restrictions that apply…

Source: Royal Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs |

Norway to provide NOK 3.3 billion to new, record-high financing package for world’s poorest countries

This latest replenishment was brought forward due to the urgent financing needs that have arisen during the COVID-19 pandemic

‘The World Bank’s International Development Association is the international community’s largest single channel for multilateral aid. The IDA20 replenishment is crucial to prevent a sudden decline in the World Bank’s assistance to the poorest countries at a time when they need it most. During the pandemic, more than 100 million…

Source: Royal Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs |

NOK 5.5 billion for humanitarian assistance in 2021

In 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic and the ensuing economic crisis have further exacerbated the situation

‘The Government has proposed an overall humanitarian budget of NOK 5.5 billion for 2021. The number of people in need of humanitarian assistance and protection worldwide is higher than ever before. With this budget, Norway will continue to be one of the largest humanitarian donors in the world,’ said Minister…

Source: Royal Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs |

Coronavirus - Africa: Norway to strengthen global health efforts in response to coronavirus pandemic

NOK 150 million of the increased allocation will go to priority countries including Malawi, Mozambique, Nepal, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo

‘In Malawi, only 600 tests for COVID-19 have been conducted for a population of 17.5 million. It is vital that more developing countries are able to increase their testing capacity and have access to personal protective equipment,’ said Minister of International Development Dag-Inge Ulstein. It is the poorest and most…

Source: Royal Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs |

Coronavirus - Africa: Norwegian Government proposes increased support for World Bank’s International Development Association, International Monetary Fund's (IMF) Catastrophe Containment and Relief Trust and lending schemes for low-income countries

Over half of these countries are in Africa

‘We must protect those who are most vulnerable, and prevent today’s health crisis from becoming tomorrow’s hunger disaster and social crisis,’ said Minister of International Development Dag-Inge Ulstein. In order to strengthen international cooperation to mitigate the impacts of the coronavirus crisis, the Government is proposing a contribution to the…

Source: Royal Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs |

Coronavirus - Africa: Norway increases support for sub-Saharan Africa

NOK 150 million of the increased allocation for global health efforts will go to priority countries including Malawi, Mozambique, Nepal, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo

What has been a crisis for Norway could become a disaster in developing countries. African governments are facing major challenges in dealing with the coronavirus pandemic. In this situation, Norway will do more to assist these countries strengthen their health systems and assist vulnerable people,’ said Minister of International Development…

Source: Royal Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs |

Coronavirus - South Sudan: Record Norwegian support for humanitarian efforts and protection

NOK 175 million has been allocated so far to humanitarian efforts in Yemen and NOK 160 million to South Sudan

Large parts of this year’s record-high NOK 5.5 billion humanitarian budget is now being  disbursed to the United Nations, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and Norwegian humanitarian organisations to strengthen the response including for protection, education in emergencies, innovation and support to internally displaced persons in countries affected…

Source: Royal Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs |

Largest ever agreement with Norwegian Church Aid to fight Poverty

The agreement provides a total of NOK 1.75 billion over five years to support Norwegian Church Aid’s sustainable development work in sub-Saharan Africa

Norwegian Church Aid has signed an agreement of record size with the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation. The agreement provides a total of NOK 1.75 billion over five years to support Norwegian Church Aid’s sustainable development work in sub-Saharan Africa and other parts of the world. ‘Norwegian Church Aid has…

Source: Royal Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs |

Norwegian support for UN humanitarian aid efforts

In 2019, Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) provided funding to alleviate humanitarian crises in 47 countries, including Somalia, Djibouti, Yemen and Venezuela

The UN has announced an increase in humanitarian needs in 2020 due to protracted armed conflicts and more frequent extreme weather events. This year, Norway is providing NOK 420 million to the UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) and NOK 90 million to the UN Office for the Coordination of…

Source: Royal Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs |

Safe Schools Declaration endorsed by 100 countries

A number of countries, including Afghanistan, Mali, Yemen and Nigeria, are implementing measures to ensure that schools are not used for military purposes

Schools, pupils and teachers are being attacked in many conflict situations around the world today. One hundred countries have now endorsed the Safe Schools Declaration on protecting children and education in situations of armed conflict. ‘Norway has played a leading role in this work, and we are pleased to see…