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UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

IRAQ: Norway grants US $21.6 million to alleviate humanitarian needs

AMMAN, 25 March 2003 (IRIN) - Norway has granted 160 million Norwegian kroner (US $21,622,790), to help alleviate humanitarian needs resulting from war in Iraq, the Royal Norwegian Embassy announced in the Jordanian capital, Amman, on Sunday. The contribution will be shared by the United Nations, the International Committee of the Red Cross/Red Crescent, and NGOs.

In a statement to the Norwegian parliament in Oslo, Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik said that the UN must be given the main responsibility for humanitarian efforts in Iraq. He added that Norway favours resumption of the Oil-for-Food Programme.

Bondevik further stated that his country could not support the war as there had been no decision by the UN Security Council giving military action a firm basis in international law. He noted that Norway would seek to contribute towards stabilising the entire Middle East region, including progress in the deadlocked conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

Theme(s): (IRIN) Other

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This material comes to you via IRIN, a UN humanitarian information unit, but may not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations or its agencies. If you re-print, copy, archive or re-post this item, please retain this credit and disclaimer. Quotations or extracts should include attribution to the original sources. All materials copyright © UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs 2003