Government of Norway

11/01/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/01/2024 07:12

Norway to provide additional NOK 80 million to help forcibly deported Ukrainians

According to estimates, roughly 40 000 people have gone missing in Ukraine. UNICEF reports indicate that thousands of children have been forcibly deported since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. This week, Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide co-hosted the Ministerial Conference on the Humanitarian Dimension of Ukraine's Peace Formula in Canada, with a focus on the release and return of deported children, civilian prisoners and prisoners of war. During the conference, Norway announced that it will provide an additional NOK 80 million in support to the efforts of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and UNICEF to trace missing persons, deported children, civilian prisoners and prisoners of war.

'The protection of children is a key component of Norwegian humanitarian policy and is given high priority in Norway's support to Ukraine. It is very distressing that thousands of Ukrainian children have been forcibly deported since Russia started the war against Ukraine. UNICEF plays a key role in efforts to reintegrate the children who come home, and the ICRC has a unique mandate related to ensuring the humane treatment of prisoners of war and tracing missing persons,' said Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide.

'We are deeply concerned about the ramifications of Russia's brutal war against Ukraine, particularly for civilians and children who are by definition innocent bystanders. The efforts of the ICRC and UNICEF to protect vulnerable people affected by the war are invaluable. This is why we are now increasing our support for these organisations' work in Ukraine,' said Mr Eide.

Norway, Canada and Ukraine together took the initiative to organise the Ministerial Conference, which highlights the human dimension of President Zelensky's Ukraine Peace Formula. The aim of the conference is to develop a concrete plan for all stages in connection with registering, assisting and obtaining the release of arbitrarily imprisoned civilians, including children and prisoners of war from Ukraine.

'It is one of Norway's key priorities to promote respect for international humanitarian law. Ensuring respect for international humanitarian law is crucial to prevent war crimes and reduce the suffering of innocent people, as well as to make sure that humanitarian aid reaches those who need it most. We are very concerned that Russia is giving the ICRC little or no access to Russian-controlled areas. This makes it virtually impossible for the ICRC to monitor Russia's compliance with international humanitarian law,' said Mr Eide.

During his recent trip to Kyiv, the Foreign Minister visited a centre for forcibly deported children who have been returned to Ukraine. Mr Eide had the opportunity to meet with several Ukrainian organisations to learn more about how Norway can help to accelerate the efforts to release and return deported children, civilian prisoners and prisoners of war. These centres are charged with safeguarding the children's best interests upon their return in order to prevent further trauma. It is essential to have a good system in place to care for the children who have been returned. Ukrainian civil society organisations play a vital role in this work.

Norway has provided almost NOK 8 billion in humanitarian assistance to Ukraine since Russia's full-scale attack in February 2022. This includes some NOK 2.55 billion provided in 2024. The additional support to the ICRC and UNICEF is part of the overall budget framework. Norway's humanitarian support provided under the Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine.

President Zelensky's Ukraine Peace Formula (UPF) consists of 10 points, each with a dedicated working group. Norway co-chairs Working Group 4 (WG4) together with Canada and Ukraine. The working group was established on 26 February 2024. While it is Ukraine that serves as the main driving force behind the working group's efforts, Norway and Canada have an important role to play together with the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights.

Working Group 4 is a diplomatic platform which focuses on the identification and release of illegally deported children, civilian prisoners and prisoners of war in Russia and Russian-occupied territories. The group provides a platform for the exchange of information and experience, and coordinates activities between countries, international organisations and civil society.

In connection with the conference, Working Group 4 will present an action plan for its efforts moving forward.