The strong resilience among Ukrainians is truly impressive.
Norad Director General Gunn Jorid Roset and Jorun Nossum, Director of the Nansen Support Programme.
Norad Director General in Kyiv: – Impressive Resilience
Gunn Jorid Roset, Norad’s Director General, visited a memorial wall honouring fallen Ukrainian soldiers.
– The smell of smoke still lingered in the air. In the middle of Kyiv, people were standing outside in the cold with just a few belongings, says Norad Director General Gunn Jorid Roset.
Norad Director General met the Red Cross in Kiev.
Gunn Jorid Roset has experienced the horrors of war firsthand. After spending a night in a shelter, the Norad delegation visited a residential building hit by a drone.
– The smell of smoke still lingered in the air. In the middle of Kyiv, people were standing outside in the cold with just a few belongings, says Norad Director General Gunn Jorid Roset.
– I met Ukrainian emergency workers who had been on duty all night. Seeing this up close leaves a deep impression, Roset continues.
This week, Roset is in Ukraine to meet key partners and follow up on Norwegian assistance. Her visit takes place in the midst of an ongoing war where people are killed and injured every day. The Norwegian Red Cross helps ensure that local assistance reaches those in need quickly.
Taking ownership of their own lives
Roset has met anti-corruption organisations, civil society actors, deminers and emergency workers who respond when drones and missiles strike, as well as people ensuring that those forced to flee have a place to stay and receive support to rebuild their lives.
– I often say that development assistance is about enabling people to take ownership of their own lives. Russia’s brutal attacks are an attempt to prevent Ukrainians from doing exactly that, but Ukrainians are resisting, Roset says.
The Director General highlights several encounters with people she will remember in particular. One of them is Raisa.
– Raisa has fled her home. In the war, she has lost her daughter, her home and her dogs. She says that what brings light into her life now are her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Raisa is living in temporary accommodation, but she has now received help to get her documents in order. The hope is that she may receive compensation for her home, which is located in a Russian-occupied area she cannot return to, Roset explains.
Raisa has received support from the Norwegian Refugee Council, which has a broad presence in Ukraine.
I have received a place to live and help to move forward with my life. My grandchild and great-grandchild give me a lot of joy, even in a difficult time.
Raisa
Support for crisis response and reconstruction
Norway is a long-term partner for Ukraine. Through the Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine, Norway contributes life-saving humanitarian assistance, strengthens energy security and reconstruction, supports democracy, the rule of law and human rights, and provides targeted support in the fight against corruption.
A total of NOK 204.5 billion has been allocated to the Nansen Programme through 2030. So far, NOK 30 billion has been granted for civilian assistance.
The goal of the Nansen Programme is to help ensure that Ukraine can determine its own future, protect its people and territory from Russian attacks, maintain critical societal functions, and reduce human suffering. The programme supports efforts to rebuild a safe and free Ukraine.