‘It is the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people who are being hardest hit by climate change. Increasingly, a lack of food and failing harvests are causing instability and conflict. Climate change adaptation is essential for achieving the SDGs. We therefore intend to increase Norway’s funding for promoting food security and climate-resilient agriculture by NOK 60 million in next year’s budget,’ said Minister of International Development Nikolai Astrup.

The Government proposes to increase the humanitarian budget by about NOK 250 million in 2019.

‘Norway will be a driving force for rapid and effective humanitarian efforts. In Syria, Yemen, South Sudan and many other countries affected by conflict, natural disasters and other crises, there is a huge need for help,’ said Minister of Foreign Affairs Ine Eriksen Søreide.

‘The situation is critical in the areas of Indonesia that were hit by the earthquake and subsequent tsunami on 28 September. The Government is now increasing Norway’s support for the rescue efforts by NOK 10 million (around USD 1.2 million), to NOK 24 million (around USD 3 million),’ said Minister of Foreign Affairs Ine Eriksen Søreide.

‘The UN’s agency for Palestine refugees (United Nations Relief and Works Agency, UNRWA) is in a critical financial situation following the US decision to cut all funding to the organisation. Norway has decided to make an extraordinary contribution of NOK 64 million. This will help to ensure that schools remain open and humanitarian needs continue to be met,’ said Minister of Foreign Affairs Ine Eriksen Søreide.

‘The loss of thousands of lives on the journey across the Sahara and the Mediterranean is a terrible tragedy. Norway is therefore providing a further NOK 60 million to the EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa,’ said Minister of Foreign Affairs Ine Eriksen Søreide.