New support for displaced people in Ukraine

Since 2022, around 10 million Ukrainians have been forced to flee their homes due to the war. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is one of Norway's most important partners in assisting displaced Ukrainians.

This week, Bernadette Castel-Hollingsworth, UNHCR's Representative in Ukraine, is leading a delegation to Norway. Norway is now increasing its support to UNHCR's efforts in Ukraine by NOK 225 million. A further NOK 35 million will be given to its refugee response in neighbouring Moldova. Norway is also providing new support to the UN's humanitarian work in Ukraine and to the refugee response in Moldova through organisations such as the World Food Programme (WFP), the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), and the UN's humanitarian country-based pooled funds.

Of those who have been forced to flee their homes, 3.7 million people are internally displaced within Ukraine, while 5.9 million are in other countries.

Norway is cooperating with organisations such as UNHCR to:

• rebuild homes, schools and hospitals that have been bombed
• provide cash assistance enabling refugees to purchase essential items when they have had to flee at short notice
• help refugees obtain copies of vital documents such as passports and property deeds that have been destroyed
• provide psychosocial support to displaced people

While in Norway, Mrs. Castel-Hollingsworth will hold discussions with State Secretary Eivind Vad Petersson at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and with Norad's Director, Gunn Jorid Roset. The purpose of the visit is to discuss the humanitarian situation in Ukraine, UNHCR's priorities for 2026 and prospects for the return of Ukrainian refugees in the future.

"The UN leads the international humanitarian response in Ukraine, and it is important for Norway to maintain close dialogue on how we can best support their lifesaving work. UNHCR plays a crucial role in Ukraine and is one of Norway's most important humanitarian partners in the country. At a time when humanitarian needs are increasing while international funding is declining, it is essential that Norway contributes to keep relief efforts going. UNHCR's presence and expertise save lives every single day," said Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide.

The humanitarian situation in Ukraine remains extremely serious. Many describe it as a Millions of people are displaced or living under extremely difficult conditions following Russia's full-scale invasion. Russia's targeted attacks on energy installations and other civilian infrastructure have hit particularly hard this winter.

"In recent years, Norway has been one of UNHCR's largest supporters in the region, and with this new allocation, Norway has contributed nearly NOK 2 billion to its work since 2022," the Minister said.

Norway remains steadfast in its support for the Ukrainian people, both through emergency humanitarian assistance and long-term efforts to rebuild and strengthen essential services.

Between 2022 and 2025, Norway has contributed more than NOK 11.4 billion in humanitarian funding to Ukraine and neighbouring countries through UN organisations, the Red Cross Movement, and Norwegian and international humanitarian actors. This includes support for emergency protection, relief items, shelter, water and sanitation, health, education, and measures to prevent gender-based and sexual violence.

The new contributions to the UN's humanitarian response in Ukraine are allocated as follows:

The new contributions to the UN's refugee response in Moldova are allocated as follows:

The funds are allocated from the Nansen Support Programme's humanitarian efforts for 2026, as previously announced: Allocation of funding under the Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine in 2026

Read more about Norway's support through the Nansen Support Programme here: The Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine | Norad.no