NOK 34.6 billion in aid in 2018

In 2018, altogether 56 percent of all Norwegian aid passed through multilateral organisations such as the United Nations and the World Bank. This includes both core and earmarked funding, and the proportion of the latter is increasing. Examples include support for thematic funds that are working in many developing countries.

In total, Norway gave NOK 10 billion in aid through UN organisations in 2018, and three billion through the World Bank group.

The three largest recipients were the United Nations Development Fund (UNDP), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the vaccine alliance GAVI.

In parallel, NOK 7.5 billion was channeled through civil society organisations, equivalent to 22 percent of all aid. The main partners are the Norwegian Refugee Council, Norwegian Red Cross, Norwegian Church Aid, Norwegian People’s Aid and Save the Children Norway.

Emergency assistance to Syria

For the third consecutive year, Syria was the largest recipient of Norwegian aid. The country received NOK 1 billion, mainly in the form of emergency assistance, followed by Afghanistan, Brazil and Palestine.

“This year’s statistics reflect the priorities of Norwegian aid: emergency assistance, development and climate. This influences what countries will be the main recipients. The war in Syria again makes it the largest recipient, while the climate programme makes Brazil a key partner,” Norad director Jon Lomøy explains.

In 2018, there was also a small increase in aid to the least developed countries. These are poor countries that face comprehensive barriers to sustainable development.

The Norwegian Climate and Forest Initiative

The Norwegian International Climate and Forest Initiative is Norway’s largest climate programme. In 2018, a total of NOK 2.9 billion was transferred, the same amount as in 2017. Over the course of ten years, Norway has paid a total of NOK 25 billion to combat deforestation in tropical forest countries through this initiative.

The largest recipient countries in 2018 were Brazil and Indonesia. The largest partners were the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF).

Norway’s climate finance contributions for emissions reduction and climate adaptation in developing countries in 2018 has been estimated to a total of NOK 6.5 billion.

Original source: Norad
Published on 03 April 2019