Norway has released 55 million kroner from the humanitarian reserve in response to the acute crisis in the Middle East. 10 million goes to Iran. A humanitarian reserve is funding set aside in advance to enable a rapid response to humanitarian crises – such as natural disasters, conflicts or acute hunger crises.
What are the Norwegian funds being used for?
Norway's contribution forms part of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies' (IFRC) emergency appeal. It will strengthen the Iranian Red Crescent's ongoing relief work. The funds will be used in particular for:
- Emergency healthcare and psychosocial support, including mobile health teams and first aid.
- Search and rescue, ambulance preparedness and safe evacuation of the injured.
- Temporary shelter and essential items for families without housing.
- Water, sanitation and hygiene, including emergency solutions where infrastructure has been damaged.
The support also helps maintain the Iranian Red Crescent's logistics and volunteer preparedness in a situation marked by major communication disruptions and damage to critical infrastructure.
Norwegian Refugee Council increases funding by 10 million kroner
Norad already supports the Norwegian Refugee Council with earmarked funding for Iran. The organisation has now announced that it is allocating a further 10 million kroner to the acute crisis caused by the war. The aid goes to people who have lost their homes, as well as to already hard-pressed people who have fled to Iran from Afghanistan.
The Norwegian Refugee Council has been present in Iran since 2012 and is one of very few international organisations still operating in the country on a significant scale, working in areas including education, livelihoods, shelter, and water and sanitation services.
Norwegian efforts in a challenging context
Owing to the security situation and strict restrictions on international organisations, the Iranian Red Crescent is among the few actors able to deliver aid on a large scale in Iran. Support via the IFRC is therefore considered the most effective channel for reaching the civilian population quickly and efficiently.