UNHCR Standing Committee: 95th Session, 24 - 26 March 2026.
Item 3: a. Regional updates
Statement delivered by Mr Svenn WROLDSEN First Secretary, Humanitarian Issues Permanent Mission of Norway.
Check against delivery
25 March 2026
Thank you, Chair.
Norway aligns with the statement of likeminded European states.
This statement is a response to all regional updates provided under agenda item 3.
Norway thanks UNHCR and the Regional Directors for their comprehensive and sobering updates. We also wish to express our deep appreciation to UNHCR staff and partners who continue to deliver under extremely difficult and often dangerous conditions. Their commitment on the front lines of displacement crises worldwide deserves our strongest recognition and support.
The situation in the Middle East remains of particular concern. Civilians continue to be caught in the crossfire, and displacement is increasing. We are deeply concerned by the impact on humanitarian situation from attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure. Norway has contributed 70 million Norwegian kroner to the current crisis, including support to UNHCR,. Protection of civilians and respect for international humanitarian law is nonnegotiable.
Russia’s illegal, fullscale invasion of Ukraine has entered its fifth year. The war has devastating consequences for civilians, both directly and through the systematic destruction of critical infrastructure. UNHCR’s work in Ukraine and in neighbouring host countries remains indispensable. We welcome UNHCR’s close cooperation with and gradual transfer of service delivery to the Ukrainian government. .
In Sudan, we are approaching the fourth year of a conflict that has created one of the world’s largest displacement and protection crises. The scale of internal displacement and refugee outflows to neighbouring countries is staggering, placing immense pressure on already fragile countries. Continued violence against civilians and humanitarian workers is utterly unacceptable.
At the same time, we must not lose sight of the other operations that risk falling out of the international spotlight, including the critical role played by major host countries. In this context, we welcome some positive developments highlighted in the presentations. Returns to and within Syria show that, when conditions allow, voluntary returns can be an important pathway—provided it is safe, dignified, informed and sustainable. We also note positive return trends in parts of Africa, including to the Central African Republic. We also note progress in the Americas, where inclusion and regularization measures are enabling displaced people to access legal stay, work and basic services.
Norway provided substantial support in 2025 to a range of displacement crises, including to UNHCR in Ukraine, Syria, Sudan, Afghanistan and the Rohingya refugee response in Bangladesh. At the same time, we underscore that the bulk of Norwegian funding is provided as unearmarked and flexible contributions, allowing UNHCR to respond to forgotten crises and scale up rapidly when new emergencies arise. This funding is essential to achieve a efficient and effective humantarian system. We strongly encourage other donors to provide flexible funding.
Thank you.