STATEMENT
UNHCR 89th meeting of the Standing Committee, 13-15 March 2024
Agenda Item 6 - Strategic partnerships, including coordination.
Statement by Norway (not held due to timelimitis, sent to secretariat)
Check against delivery
15 March 2024
Norway welcomes the update on budgets and funding.
Despite efforts to diversify and expand sources of humanitarian funding, the outlook for 2024 is of serious concern.
Unearmarked and flexible funding provides UNHCR with much needed predictability to plan and use resources where they are most needed. Norway will continue to be a predictable, long-term supporter of UNHCR. In this we will continue our significant core support, of which over 50% remains unearmarked and flexible funding.
We encourage all donors to contribute with quality humanitarian funding to meet the increased needs for refugees and internally displaced.
Based on last year’s funding gap of 49.7%, and concerns of an even worsening funding situation in 2024, we would welcome if UNHCR could comment on how this will impact future programs and operations.
Let me end by emphasizing that protracted refugee situations, stabilization in host-communities, protection, and services to displaced persons are priorities for my government. This is also highlighted in our revised humanitarian strategy, which will be published soon. We look forward to welcoming Filippo Grandi to Oslo in May for the launch of our revised humanitarian strategy and bilateral consultations.