Norwegian Church Aid has no plans to reduce or make changes to its working routines in Muslim countries. No Norwegians have been sent home, and Norwegian Church Aid maintains a close, broad cooperation with local Muslim organisations and personnel.

News reports that Norwegian non-governmental organisations are withdrawing from Muslim countries do not apply to Norwegian Church Aid. In Darfur and Afghanistan, Norwegian staff members have been temporarily relocated, but they will return to work as soon as possible.

This is a complex situation and the security of Norwegian Church Aid's Norwegian personnel is under constant consideration.

Norwegian Church Aid enjoys good dialogue with and the strong support of Muslim partner organisations both at home in Norway and in the Muslim countries in which the organisation is active. These are important factors that will assist us all in reassuming normal working conditions.

For more information, contact:

- Atle Sommerfeldt, General Secretary, Norwegian Church Aid Tel: (+47) 91 75 51 12

- Knut Christiansen, Director of International Programmes, Norwegian Church Aid Tel: (+47) 97 06 23 03

- Laurie MacGregor, Press Officer, Norwegian Church Aid Tel: (+47) 93 24 24 91