Annual Report 2006

����������� CALENDAR 2006

JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL JUNE The Norwegian Refugee Tomas C. Archer assumes his duties as The Norwegian The Norwegian The Norwegian Refugee Council observed World Refugee Council sent a team of Secretary General to the Norwegian Refugee Council and Scout Association Day, the theme in Oslo being hope for the internally dis-

six mountain experts to Refugee Council. He took over the position its IDMC office in mobilised thousands placed in Darfur. On the same day, NRC and Marcus Bleas- Pakistan to undertake from the previous Secretary General, Geneva, published a of scouts in this dale opened a photo-exhibition of pictures showing the intensive training of aid Raymond Johansen. global report showing year’s fund-raising situation of internally displaced persons in Darfur, northern workers in the earth- that 24 million people campaign. The cam- Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The quake-affected areas. are currently displaced paign issue was the exhibition was mounted in Rådhusplassen (City Hall Square) within their own humanitarian crisis MIDTEIDE/ PHOTO: STEFAN FNORWEGIAN REFUGEE COUNCIL in Oslo. NRC also released its annual Refugee Account countries. in northern Uganda, Statoil’s Sebastian Bringsværd meets one of the teachers (Flyktningregnskapet 2006), one of the world’s most up-to- at an earthquake affected school in Pakistan.

PHOTO: NCR the scouts collecting date reference works concerning people forced to flee. money in aid of schoolchildren MAY there. A televised Statoil supported Norwegian Refugee Council’s PHOTO: LISA RYPENG/THE NORWEGIAN SCOUT ASSOCIATION Idol concert formed work in Georgia, Azerbaijan, Angola and Pakistan. part of the campaign. Managers from Statoil travelled with NRC to Pa- The Norwegian kistan and got to experience our work with those Refugee Council affected by the earthquake at close quarters. The phased out its UN’s World Food Programme, TNT and NRC

programmes in collaborated on the international ”Walk the PHOTO: NORWEGIAN REFUGEE COUNCIL Indonesia. World” campaign, part of the larger ”Fight Hunger” campaign. The ”Walk the World” walk was arranged in Oslo. The Norwegian Refugee Council entered into a strategic partnership agree- ment with UNHCR as the first non-governmental At the opening of organisation (NGO) ever. Marcus Bleasdale’s photographic Beirut, summer 2006 exhibition.

Editor-in-chief: Tomas C. Archer JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER DECEMBER Editor: Bitte K. Emberland Editorial staff: Siri Elverland, Tane Holm Høisæter, When the war between Since the peace agreement between Israel In collaboration with the Norwegian Refugee Council’s Geneva The Norwegian Refugee Council’s new web- Roald Høvring Israel and Hezbollah and Hezbollah came into force, the Norwe- office (IDMC) and the BADIL Resource Centre for Palestinian pages were launched, giving greater oppor- Contributors: Manana Gabashvili, Mariam Guth, broke out, the Norwe- gian Refugee Council has been reconstruc- Residency and Refugee Rights, NRC released the ”Displaced tunities for interaction to our donors. The Thomas Horne, Neomi Kodikara, Eigil Olsen, gian Refugee Council ting and building houses for the internally by the Wall” report concerning the consequences of the Israeli- web-pages reflect the entire spectrum of Elisabeth Rasmusson, Eric Sevrin, Cathrine Gjertsen NOVEMBER Skonhoft, Richard Skretteberg, Bendik Sørvig, sent a Start-Up team to displaced in Lebanon. NRC has also been built wall on the West Bank to the Palestinian population. NRC activities. NRC launched their guide- Magnhild Vasset, Rolf A. Vestvik, Kirsten Zaat The Norwegian Refugee Council was ordered out Lebanon. To begin with, assisting Lebanese authorities with camp lines against corruption. Publisher: The Norwegian Refugee Council NRC helped obtain management and started programme of Darfur after the Sudanese authorities had sus- PO Box 6758 temporary shelter for activities in Gaza. Law students’ humanita- pended our activities for a total of 210 days. NRC St. Olavs Plass 0130 Oslo refugees from the war. rian appeal focused on Liberia and collected started programme activities in Ivory Coast. We OCTOBER Tel: 23 10 98 00 The NRC emergency money to our legal aid projects in the coun- launched our Christmas gift catalogues through Fax: 23 10 98 01 standby department try. On the 5th anniversary of HRH Crown The Norwegian Refugee Council which people could give presents that support our E-mail: [email protected] hosted a hearing concerning Uganda Internet: www.flyktninghjelpen.no reacted swiftly to UN Prince Haakon and HRH Crown Princess work. In particular, the sale of goats as Christmas ISBN: 978-82-7411-172-9 at the European parliament in equests to supply per- Mette-Marit’s Humanitarian Fund, the gifts proved extremely popular. NRC also marked Cover picture: Iva Zimová sonnel for the relief Norwegian Refugee Council launched a Brussels, encouraging the EU to do the occasion of 60 years for people forced to flee Translations: Howard&Gotschalksen Oversetterservice operations. new digital instrument for the registration more to support the fragile peace with a special seminar and reception, followed by Design and layout: Cox Oslo Printing: Gamlebyen grafiske, Oslo of displaced persons. process in the country. NRC started a party in the evening 10th November. programme activities in East Timor. ©The Norwegian Refugee Council The organisation entered into a Circulation: 3000 Editing completed: December 2006 (main report), collaborative project with the Norwe- June 2007 (Annual Statement of Accounts) gian Confederation of Sports. Repre- This Annual Report is also published in Norwegian sentatives from the confederation Contents gave courses about sport and asso- ciation activities in Liberia. This The year’s events › 2 Asia › 12 Press and web › 22 collaboration is set to continue in Secretary General Tomas Leader – The challenges remain › 4 The Middle East › 14 Competence development › 23 C. Archer talking to 2007. The head of the NRC Brussels NRC – Our work › 6 Europe › 16 Emergency standby forces › 24 H.R.H. Crown Prince office, Bjarte Vandvik, was elected Haakon and H.R.H. to be the new Secretary General to Africa › 8 Advocacy work › 18 Knowledge and counselling in Norway › 26 Crown Princess the European Council on Refugees South America › 11 NRC – 60 years › 21 NRC – income › 28 PHOTO: SIRI ELVERLAND/ and Exiles (ECRE). PHOTO: Mette-Marit. NCR NORWEGIAN CONFEDERATION OF SPORTS

2 ANNUAL REPORT THE NORWEGIAN REFUGEE COUNCIL 2006 ANNUAL REPORT THE NORWEGIAN REFUGEE COUNCIL 2006 3 XXXXXXX SECRETARY GENERAL

Mandate of the Norwegian Refugee Council The Norwegian Refugee Council is to promote and protect the rights of displaced people, whether inter- nally or outside their own country, regardless of race, religion, nationality and political opinion. This is to be done through independent, fearless advocacy work, both nationally and internationally, by providing humanitarian assistance in emergency situations and by strengthening UN organisations’ capacity to pro- PHOTO: LARS OVE KVALBEINPHOTO: LARS vide and coordinate international assistance and protection. The Norwegian Refugee Council is to have viable, sustainable solutions as objective and guiding principle for its advocacy work and emergency relief efforts.

Displaced children in Afghanistan.

authorities had suspended our activi- 2006 also marked the 60th anniver- organisation that does not stand still ties for 210 days. Having to leave an area sary of the NRC. It is never easy for a but one that is always looking for new where the need is so great is one of the humanitarian organisation to celebrate ways of working so that we may con- worst things a humanitarian organisa- its long history when in reality it is stantly improve. Moreover, we have tion can experience. Our greatest working towards making itself super- developed good partnerships and co- concern is for the 300 000 internally fluous. In 2006, we used our long expe- operative relationships with donors, displaced persons who no longer get rience to embark upon new challenges. authorities, the UN and other emer- help from the NRC. It is clear that the On the day of the 60th anniversary in gency relief organisations. In 2006, the PHOTO: HANS CHRISTEN KNÆVELSRUD/NORWEGIAN REFUGEE COUNCIL regional authorities and the govern- November, we called together all those NRC became the first voluntary aid ment in Khartoum wish to limit with expertise in refugee policy in organisation to enter into a strategic During the war between Israel and Hezbollah, many Lebanese had to seek refuge in Sana Garden in Beirut. international presence in the region so Norway and guests from abroad in cooperation agreement with the UN that the war may continue without too order to discuss the future challenges High Commissioner for Refugees. Our many witnesses present. The expulsion for refugees and the internally dis- goals have always been to get through of the NRC led to official protests from placed. The occasion showed there with emergency relief and to secure the Norwegian, American and Canadian to be a need for an organisation such rights of people who have been forced The challenges remain authorities as well as from the EU. We as the NRC for many years to come. to leave their homes. This we have are determined to continue to fight for While the conflicts in which we are done for 60 years and, unfortunately, Full-scale war broke out between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon in 2006. The immediate consequence the rights of internally displaced per- to work in the future are likely to be there is still a great need for the NRC sons in Darfur, however, even though more complicated, we are simultane- in the future. was that some 100 000 Lebanese had to flee their homes in southern Lebanon and move northwards. we no longer have any presence in the ously witnessing increasing political While most foreigners were being hastily evacuated, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) sent in a province. pressure on emergency relief organisa- start-up team. In 2006, the emergency standby tions to take political standpoints in department focused on analysing what conflicts where our neutrality and in- Secretary General Tomas C. Archer After only a short time we had set operations in Lebanon, we have now with greater activity in more countries the future holds for the whole concept dependence are fundamental to our up an operation, initially to provide commenced projects in Gaza, provid- than at any other time in the organisa- of emergency standby forces, staking getting aid through. In addition, those PHOTO: PATRIK EKLØF/NRC temporary shelter. The emergency ing assistance to internally displaced tion’s 60-year history. out a direction in an overriding four- of us who are fortunate enough to live standby department was able to deliver persons who have suffered under Unfortunately we also had to leave year development plan. Collaboration in the rich West will see an increasing a rapid response to the UN request for Israeli occupation for many years. We an important area in 2006, namely with the UN concerning the inter- pressure of migration upon our coun- personnel. are also working actively to get further Darfur. The situation in this war- agency project PROCAP, the purpose tries, such as is being currently experi- After the month-long war was projects under way in Iraq and Iran. stricken province of Sudan is extremely of which is to meet the demand for enced in the growing stream of people concluded, the NRC’s involvement In addition to the start-up in the grave. Various peace initiatives have protection experts in the field, has had from different parts of Africa towards continued with housing reconstruction Middle East, the NRC has also begun not been able to bring stability, pros- a successful first year of operations. The Spain. The NRC intends to relate ac- and repair. The war in Lebanon is a projects in East Timor and undertaken pects of getting a robust international project has resulted in the commence- tively to all of these challenges. We tragic reminder that the road to peace active advocacy work for Western force deployed are uncertain and over ment of similar new cooperative ven- shall manage to fulfil the tasks given in the Middle East is still long. For this Sahara. At the beginning of 2007, the two million people have been internally tures between the NRC and the UN for to us because we have committed, ex- reason, the NRC has increased its NRC is active in 20 countries on four displaced. In November the NRC was 2007, including tasks within the area of tremely skilled staff. We have 60 years’ Secretary General Tomas C. Archer witnesses food dis- efforts in the region. Aside from the continents. Behind us now is a year ordered out of the region after the ”gender and mediation support”. experience to draw on. We are an tribution in Darfur autumn 2006.

4 ANNUAL REPORT THE NORWEGIAN REFUGEE COUNCIL 2006 ANNUAL REPORT THE NORWEGIAN REFUGEE COUNCIL 2006 5 OPERATIONS

Protection and durable solutions

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent, humanitarian organisation which provides assistance, protection and durable solutions to displaced persons worldwide.

It is the only Norwegian humanitarian food relief items in order to save lives builds accommodation. In addition, organisation to specialise in interna- and prevent the outbreak of illness and we undertake school-building or tional work with this target group. epidemics. We distribute food to reconstruction where necessary. The NRC works in close collaboration with millions of refugees and internally overriding objective is to provide the UN and other organisations, both displaced persons (IDPs). In a number solutions which strengthen local around the world and in Norway. of places we also distribute seed, tools competence and people’s capacity At the end of 2006, NRC had and other relief items to help displaced to look after themselves. projects running in 20 countries in people provide for themselves, both Africa, Asia, America and Europe. The during their displacement and when Education majority of our approximately 2000 they are able to return home. We also NRC has various educational pro- staff members are national staff in these make sure that children get food at grammes for children and young countries. All NRC projects are run schools. adults, particularly between the ages directly from the head office in Oslo, of 10 to 18, so that they may complete and the organisation maintains two Management of refugee camps a basic education or receive elementary PHOTO: NORWEGIAN REFUGEE COUNCIL further offices in Geneva and Brussels. Around a quarter of the world’s refu- practical training. Tuition in the stan- Building houses in Pakistan. The three main pillars of NRC gees and IDPs live in camps of one sort dard school subjects and skills is aug- operations – Programme Activities, or another. mented by classes on issues such as Advocacy and Emergency Standby NRC ensures effective aid and pro- human rights, conflict management Forces – all aim to strengthen the tection by means of better manage- and HIV/AIDS. The tuition is designed the labour market, or pensions and IDPs worldwide for the UN. In addi- protection of refugees and internally ment and coordination of camps. We to enable children to go on to ordinary inheritance. By monitoring return and tion to providing up-to-date informa- ›› displaced persons’ (IDPs) rights. help strengthen and promote the rights schools as soon as possible, and young identifying problems, NRC is able to tion, IDMC offers courses on the pro- The collaboration between the of displaced persons as laid down by adults either to continue their educa- combat legal obstructions to return tection of the internally displaced. United Nations High Commissioner

Programme Activities International Humanitarian Law and tion or get paid work. Teacher-training and long-term reintegration and pro- for Refugees and the Norwegian FOTO: UNHCR / S. HOPPER NRC Programme Activities are con- the guidelines for minimum living is an important element of the educa- pose solutions. Emergency Standby Forces Refugee Council goes back a long way and has taken centrated around five core activities: standards. NRC constantly surveys tional programmes. NRC helps strengthen the UN’s capac- many forms: from diverse practical cooperation in Distribution of food and non-food camp requirements and works for im- Advocacy ity to provide and coordinate interna- the field to the secondment of personnel through the relief items, coordination and manage- proved security and better coordina- Information and legal assistance NRC promotes and protects the rights tional aid and protection by placing aid Norwegian Refugee Council emergency standby ment of refugee camps, building of tion between camp residents and Most refugees and IDPs wish to return of people who have been internally dis- personal at its disposal. NRC has over forces. The partnership has been further strengthened homes and schools, education in situa- humanitarian organisations. Our home. placed or forced to flee their country. 650 women and men in its emergency by the Norwegian Refugee Council’s support of the tions of war or crisis, and provision of expertise in this area is highly sought NRC provides information and The organisation is an independent standby forces. They can be deployed United Nations’ new, more active involvement on information, counselling and legal after and we run training courses and counselling to refugees and IDPs so and courageous spokesperson for anywhere in the world at 72 hours’ behalf of the internally displaced, particularly in assistance. share our experiences with relevant they have a better foundation upon refugee and IDP rights in the countries notice to support the UN and other relation to protection and camp management. In recognition of the close relationship between our two In addition to the programmes authorities, the UN and other humani- which to decide whether or not to re- where we run programmes, in interna- international organisations in humani- organisations, we recently entered a new agreement abroad, NRC runs a number of activi- tarian organisations. turn home. Our lawyers and advisors tional fora and in relation to Norwe- tarian aid and emergency relief opera- on strategic partnership. ties in Norway, the main emphasis of help solve the conflicts which often gian authorities, special interest groups tions, election observation, human We are very proud of our collaboration with the which is on information, counselling Building homes and school arise when people return home, such and public opinion. NRC fights for rights monitoring and peace-keeping Norwegian Refugee Council and believe it to be of and training for refugees, asylum- NRC provides a rapid aid response as regaining possession of accommoda- people’s protection for the duration of operations. direct benefit to the millions of refugees, returnees seekers, asylum centre staff and others with temporary shelters to save lives tion and property which has been their displacement, for their right to NRC emergency standby forces are and displaced persons the world over. Our best wishes within the local community who meet and give physical protection during occupied or is being used by others. return home and their right to protec- internationally acknowledged. They go to the Norwegian Refugee Council on the occasion refugees and asylum-seekers. displacement. Just as important, how- We assist with citizenship verification, tion in a safe country when return is also contribute to strengthening the of their 60th anniversary, and for the years to come. ever, is to pave the way for durable so- help obtain identity papers and gain impossible. broad cooperation between the organi- Distribution lutions by providing permanent shelter access to other documents which may The Internal Displacement Moni- sation and the UN. António Guterres NRC is responsible for large supply in situations of return and resettle- be crucial to returning home or gain- toring Centre (IDMC) in Geneva mon- UN High Commissioner for Refugees operations, bringing food and non- ment. This is the reason that NRC ing access to education, health care and itors and reports upon the situation of

6 ANNUAL REPORT THE NORWEGIAN REFUGEE COUNCIL 2006 ANNUAL REPORT THE NORWEGIAN REFUGEE COUNCIL 2006 7 XXXXXXX

Uganda Capital: Kampala ›› Population: 28.1 million AFRICA Refugees from other countries: 254 400 Internally displaced persons: 1.7 – 2 million Refugees in other countries: 35 100 Sudan What the Norwegian Refugee Council is doing: The Norwegian Refugee Council Undertaking monthly food distribution to Capital: Khartoum 800 000 internally displaced persons (IDPs), of Population: 41.2 million reached around two million inter- which 92 000 are school students, in 78 camps, Refugees from other countries: 231 700 and delivery of non-food relief items to 53 nally displaced persons (IDPs) and Internally displaced persons: 5 355 000 camps. Providing teacher training and running Refugees in other countries: 670 900 refugees in Africa. What the Norwegian Refugee Council is educational programmes for vulnerable young adults. Rehabilitating and building classrooms. doing: In Sudan: Building schools. Trai- ning teachers. Running educational pro- Running programmes for better, safer access to food. Giving information, counselling and legal This year has seen the gradual worsening jects for children between 10 and 14 who have missed out on schooling as a result assistance to IDPs and refugees. Currently of the security situation in the African of the war. Running youth centres com- starting to run camps for IDPs. countries where the Norwegian Refugee bined with basic education and occupatio- nal training for young adults between 14 Council is active. This gave rise to restric- and 20. Providing instruction as to rights tions of the humanitarian space and to do with the return process as well as giving information, counselling and legal reduced access to large groups of IDPs and assistance in connection with return. In refugees, particularly in Uganda in the collaboration with the Food and Agri- first six months of the year, and in Sudan, culture Organisation (FAO), UNHCR and local authorities, NRC is running a pro- DR Congo and Somalia. Difficult climatic ject to clarify land issues and to look at Somalia mechanisms to resolve conflict in connec- Anna (16) and her friends risk conditions and reduced accessibility made Capital: Mogadishu tion with the return and reintegration of Population: 8.8 million their lives daily to leave the camp it difficult to reach vulnerable groups in returnees. In addition, NRC provides Refugees from other countries: 2 900 information and counselling to Sudanese and collect wood. countries such as DR Congo, Angola and Internally displaced persons: 400 000 refugees in Uganda who are considering PHOTO: ROALD HØVRING/NORWEGIAN REFUGEE COUNCIL Refugees in other countries: 328 000 Sudan. returning home. Ivory Coast Capital: Yamoussoukro What the Norwegian Refugee Council is doing: Many refugees and IDPs returned 3420 internally displaced children are receiving In Darfur: Ran two refugee camps Population: 17.6 million basic education and 114 teachers undergoing a home in countries such as Liberia, for 223 000 people, distributed Refugees from other countries: 44 100 two-year educational programme. In collabora- Darfur/Kalma: Burundi, DR Congo, Angola and Sudan food to 50 000, taught 16 000 Internally displaced persons: 750 000 tion with UNHCR, the Norwegian Refugee children, provided protection and Refugees in other countries: 25 300 during 2006. Many returned to areas Council is running a school for 253 refugee performed advocacy work for What the Norwegian Refugee Council is children and a social welfare centre, which lacking fundamental infrastructure. This IDPs. Towards the end of the doing: Established the country office provides social and medical assistance to refu- year, these projects were this year. Mapping the need for With life at stake in turn leads to the danger of many people gees and gives advice and information to inter- reluctantly wound up after protection for internally displaced nally displaced persons (IDPs) and returning deciding to go back to the cities or neigh- the Sudanese authorities persons and returnees and what is refugees. Following up a school meals program- repeatedly suspended preventing their lasting return and Every morning Anna (16) and her friends leave their camp to collect bouring countries where they had previ- me which provides food for 11 655 pupils, 322 activities and finally reintegration. Helping prepare the teachers and 214 assistants. The programme is wood. Deforestation, as a consequence of the great concentration of ously been staying. broke off collaboration. ground for return and the commence- In countries such as DR Congo, tens of ment of basic education for children run by the World Food Programme. Building people, means that the girls must go further and further from the and young adults, and training for and equipping classrooms, offices, canteens and thousands of new people were forced to teachers. toilets and constructing housing for IDPs. Per- camp to look for trees and roots. Thus they become easy prey to the flee at the same time as many others were forming advocacy work in order to strengthen the protection of IDPs and refugees. dreaded Janjaweed militia, who rape, steal and kill. returning home. Insufficient funding of emergency aid packages made it difficult – A number of my friends have been raped. them and return to the camp. to give a rapid response to new, acute humanitarian needs. Generally speaking Last time it happened right beside that tree, Over two million people are displaced it was difficult to secure funding of emer- says Anna, pointing back towards the camp in Darfur. Over 200 000 have fled to neigh- gency aid packages to countries such as which is an hour’s walk away. bouring Chad. For the time being, the extent Liberia Angola Democratic Republic of the Congo Burundi – For a short period, police and soldiers of this enormous humanitarian catastrophe Burundi and Liberia, for example. In such Capital: Monrovia Capital: Luanda Capital: Kinshasa Capital: Bujumbura countries, the situation is stable and de- Population: 3 million Population: 14.5 million Population: 62.6 million Population: 8 million looked after us. Now we’re left alone again seems set only to grow. At the same time it velopment processes are under way, but Refugees from other countries: 16 100 Refugees from other countries: 14 900 Refugees from other countries: 204 500 Refugees from other countries: 40 600 and live in constant fear of being attacked. is becoming increasingly difficult for relief Internally displaced persons: 13 000 Internally displaced: 61 700 Internally displaced persons: 1.1 million Internally displaced persons: 100 000 considerable humanitarian needs remain. Refugees in other countries: 219 800 Refugees in other countries: 213 000 Refugees in other countries: 450 800 Refugees in other countries: 438 500 But we don’t have any choice; without the organisations to get sufficient financial The Norwegian Refugee Council What the Norwegian Refugee Council What the Norwegian Refugee Council What the Norwegian Refugee Council is What the Norwegian Refugee Council is doing: wood we can’t cook the food we need, she support, security or acceptable working is doing: Distributing non-food relief is doing: Educating teachers: 35 000 doing: Educating internally displaced Running two refugee camps and a further camp maintained offices in eight African coun- items to returning internally displaced students are being taught by 1200 teachers and providing basic education for asylum seekers in collaboration with explains. conditions to be able to help millions of tries in 2006: Angola, Liberia, Ivory Coast, persons (IDPs). 6000 children are teachers. Distributing seed and equip- for returnee children from 10 – 13 and UNHCR. Building houses and latrines and In March, NRC took the initiative to people in acute crisis. learning to read and write and 160 ment for food production to 67 000 young adults from 14 – 22 who lack constructing and equipping temporary and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, teachers are being given instruction in refugees and internally displaced previous schooling as a result of the permanent classrooms. Holding courses for set up wood patrols. With forces from the In November last year, NRC had to with- Burundi, Uganda, Sudan and Somalia. child-friendly teaching methods. 300 persons. Building schools for children war. Building and equipping class- teachers and providing education for children African Union (AU) and the local police, draw from Darfur after having helped the young adults are receiving vocational and young adults. Providing human rooms and school buildings. Providing and young adults. Providing information, coun- The organisation pursued all its core acti- training. Digging wells and latrines rights education to 32 000 returnees, support for house reconstruction and selling and legal assistance to internally dis- NRC organised patrols to accompany the internally displaced there since the summer vities in Africa in 2006. The year saw the and building/rebuilding schools. Build- local leaders and officials. ensuring that 100 000 children and placed persons and returned refugees as well women when they went out to collect wood. of 2004. The authorities refused to give establishment of the NRC programme in ing houses for returned IDPs and teachers receive school meals. Giving as performing advocacy work. refugees. Monitoring the situation for information, counselling and legal When the AU forces were obliged to leave permission for further work. Ivory Coast and the extension of its activi- returning refugees and aiming to map assistance to internally displaced the camp in May, the patrols came to an end. In addition to running the two largest ties to new areas in Somalia. lacking infrastructure. Providing persons and monitoring return. Cur- information, counselling and legal rently running a project in North Kivu Anna swings her mattock and a large camps in Darfur, with a total of over 220 assistance to returned refugees and in collaboration with UNICEF to map tree-root gradually appears as sand and 000 people, NRC provided almost 20 000 IDPs. the lack of infrastructure in the local community. earth is removed. When the loads are big children with basic education and distri- enough, the girls divide them up between buted food to over 50 000 people.

8 ANNUAL REPORT THE NORWEGIAN REFUGEE COUNCIL 2006 ANNUAL REPORT THE NORWEGIAN REFUGEE COUNCIL 2006 9 ›› SOUTH AMERICA

�������� The Norwegian Refugee Council reached around 25 000 refugees Colombia Capital: Bogotà and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in South America. Population: 45.6 million Refugees from other countries: 200 Internally displaced persons: The challenges of 2006 were linked The building up of capacity has also 1,852,530 – 3,832,527 to the difficult security situation and been prioritised in collaboration with, Refugees in other countries: 257 900 lack of protection for Colombia’s and in relation to, NRC partners. What the Norwegian Refugee Council is doing: Giving information and advice and about three million IDPs. The huma- The Norwegian Refugee Council providing legal assistance to the country’s nitarian situation has also been has offices in Bogota, Pasto, Santa large number of internally displaced per- sons (IDPs). Work includes a particular difficult in many of the Colombian Marta and Cucuta in Colombia; the focus on IDPs’ psycho-social situation. regions, and coordination lacking. Venezuelan office is situated in San Through collaboration with other organi- sations, the information, counselling and In the wake of reorganisation and Cristobal. In 2006 NRC ran pro- legal assistance provided also reaches the establishment of separate pro- grammes concerning education and refugees in Venezuela, Ecuador and

PHOTO: ROALD HØVRING/NORWEGIAN REFUGEE COUNCIL Panama. Running several educational grammes at the end of 2005, NRC legal advice. units for children and young adults who focus has been on the building up have fallen out of the school system. In- of capacity within the organisation. struction is coordinated with Colombia’s educational authorities and implemented by regional universities and voluntary organisations. Colombia: A chance to attend school

For internally displaced child- enthusiastic and has a great desire to classes because she has to work on the ren in Colombia, education is learn, but it can be difficult to fit in scrapheap, but she quickly catches up with tuition and group work when one lost ground and is always asking for Gardii Sambolla (21) wants to be- the key to the future. After a has not had the chance to go to an homework. Liberia: come a seamstress and dreams about year’s tuition from the Norwe- ordinary school at an earlier stage. Having completed a year of intensive having her own clothes shop. gian Refugee Council (NRC), Sometimes some of the children lose tuition with the NRC education pro- Home to a new future children are able to start patience and arguments break out. gramme, Jessica is concerned that her Fortunately there are only twelve chil- brothers be given the same opportunity. ordinary school. After completing time, there’s a few dollars left over so dren in each group so the NRC teach- – I want you to keep two places for Gardii Sambolla (21) is finally back in the village of Jenewonde in Liberia after the one-year living as a refugee for many years in neighbouring Sierra Leone. Now she can I can buy soap and other goods, she NRC offers children with little or no ers have both the time and the oppor- my little brothers, she says to her teacher. NRC educational finally create a future for herself and help rebuild her civil war-torn country. explains. previous schooling a year’s intensive tunity to follow up each individual. To the question of whether or not programme, She tells us how the NRC places tuition in small study groups. In addi- a place should be kept for her, Jessica internally displa- great emphasis on students learning tion to the normal subjects, the children Wants to start school answers with great confidence and ced children can She returned home with her mother themselves, which are taken care of in to work together in groups. receive training in the development of Many of the children taking part in the satisfaction: join the Colom- and two children last year. Life is slowly the school crèche. None have previous- – We’re stronger if we stand together social skills and interaction with others. NRC educational programme have – No, because I’m going to be start- bian state school beginning to return to the village of ly been able to go to school. and support one another, and are Afterwards, the children may be inte- grown up in the slum area outside the ing ordinary school! system. Jenewonde. People are sorting out their After the theoretical classes, there is better placed to succeed in running grated in the formal school system. Colombian capital, Bogotá. The con- houses and beginning to cultivate their a break for lunch. Gardii pops in to see a healthy, sound business. flict in the country has resulted in fertile patches of land. There is little on her two children in the crèche. Then it – At last my children and I no longer Desire to learn several million people being forced to offer in terms of school or health is time for her vocational training. She have to go to bed hungry. I hope I’ll be 11 year-old Jessica is one of the chil- flee, many of them ending up in the services, however, and very few are able sits down by the sewing machine. able to provide for my children in the dren who have been able to attend urbanised districts surrounding the to find work. Many young people have future and that they’ll have the oppor- school. She is the eldest of four chil- capital. At the school, children are never been to school following 14 years Wants to be a seamstress tunity of going to school. My greatest dren, her father is in prison, and she given the opportunity to be children of civil war. – I really want to be a seamstress. Then wishes are for my daughter to become helps provide for the family by collect- and most make great progress in a PHOTO: NORWEGIAN REFUGEE COUNCIL Gardii is one of the lucky ones; she it’s also important that I can read and a nurse and to be able to open my own ing and selling scrap metal to earn a short space of time. has got a place at one of the five NRC write, she says. clothes shop. I’d like to stay in the little money. When Jessica found out Now Jessica is one of the best pupils training centres for young people be- She is making a shirt. The students village and look after my mother when that NRC was registering new pupils in in both handwriting and mathematics, tween 14 and 22. In one school year get to keep the clothes they make. she gets old, she concludes, before turn- its educational programme, she imme- subjects she has practised before, since, she is to learn to read and write as well – I can make 250 Liberian dollars ing back to her sewing machine. diately fetched her mother so that she, from an early age, she has had to count as learn a trade. More than half the on a shirt. Then I can buy new material, Jessica, could be registered. up how much she has earned. On occa- students are girls. Many have children make and sell more shirts. At the same Like the other pupils, Jessica is sion, Jessica is still unable to come to

10 ANNUAL REPORT THE NORWEGIAN REFUGEE COUNCIL 2006 ANNUAL REPORT THE NORWEGIAN REFUGEE COUNCIL 2006 11 ›› Sri Lanka: Afghanistan ASIA Capital: Kabul Population: 31 million Internally displaced: 132 000, in addition to an unknown number New house of temporarily displaced persons in the south of the country The Norwegian Refugee Council Refugees in other countries: 2 192 100 What the Norwegian Refugee Council is doing: Providing informa- (NRC) was able to assist about tion and legal assistance concerning property and other issues provides hope one million refugees and inter- to 1.3 million returnees and internally displaced persons (IDPs). Helping returnees and IDPs regain land which was confiscated nally displaced persons (IDPs) in their absence. Instructing Afghani lawyers in property law and PHOTO: NORWEGIAN REFUGEE COUNCIL 2000 teachers in educational science. Training teachers and – I’ve been luckier than most, in Asia. older villagers in conflict resolution. Building houses and schools. says Meeresha Raseeksha, from Poonachchimunai in Sri The greatest challenges in the Asian Nepal Lanka, almost two years after countries where NRC is active were Capital: Kathmandu Population: 28.2 million the tsunami. He has begun the worsening security situation and Refugees from other countries: 130 600 the lack of coordination of humanita- Internally displaced persons: 200 000 work again and, not least, Refugees in other countries: 210 800 rian efforts. The middle of the year What the Norwegian Refugee Council is doing: Is in the process he has a new house. in Sri Lanka saw thousands of people of starting a large-scale project to provide counselling, informa- tion and legal assistance, thus supporting the return and inte- Having survived forced to flee and NRC had little or gration of internally displaced persons (IDPs) now that the All the 465 families of Poonachchimu- ones the wave destroyed. All the same, Hindus and Christians living side by the tsunami, no access in periods to IDPs in areas peace process following the 10-year civil war is developing in nai, five kilometres from Batticaloa a good number of the tsunami’s vic- side, despite religious differences. Most Meeresha Raseek- controlled by the Tamil Tigers a positive direction. Collaborating with the new Nepalese government to develop durable solutions for IDPs. on Sri Lanka’s east coast, were badly tims are still living in temporary bar- families make a living from fishing or sha and his fami- (LTTE). The situation in Afghanistan Pakistan ly are overjoyed affected by the tsunami. 115 families racks while they wait for the new hous- from small jobs in the small neigh- has been marked with increasing Capital: Islamabad with their new Population: 165.8 million lost their houses while the rest of the es to be finished. Some of the IDPs are bouring town of Kattankudy. violence and the country has witnessed Refugees from other countries: 1 088 100 home, provided villagers had their homes destroyed. The frustrated that they have had to wait Raseeksha will not be able to escape little in the way of democratic or Internally displaced persons: numbers uncertain Sri Lanka by the Norwe- Refugees in other countries: 16 500 Capital: Colombo tsunami changed the lives of thousands for so long for their lives to return to poverty and suffering in the immediate social progress this year. Civilian/ What the Norwegian Refugee Council is doing: gian Refugee Population: 20.2 million of families on Sri Lanka. Nearly 35 000 normal. future – his livelihood was taken from military coordination of humanitarian Giving information and legal assistance con- Refugees from other countries: 200 Council. cerning legal obstacles to the return of Afghan Internally displaced persons: 500 000 people lost their lives and almost 46 year-old Raseeksha still has many him when all his fishing equipment assistance has also presented its own refugees with particular emphasis on owner- Refugees in other countries: 79 100 580 000 were driven from their homes. worries: he has four young daughters to disappeared with the wave – but with- challenges. In Pakistan the greatest ship, financial issues and family law. Providing What the Norwegian Refugee Council East Timor challenges were connected with building material and technical assistance in is doing: Providing legal assistance to Capital: Dili In the worst affected districts, bring up, fear of another tsunami or out the new house he would have been the construction of housing and schools. NRC internally displaced persons (IDPs), Population: 1 million Batticaloa and Ampara on the east violent disturbances, even a new war. unable to start building a new life for coordination of the running of the is assisting those internally displaced as a both those who have been forced to Refugees in other countries: 251 camps for victims of the earthquake consequence of the October 2005 earthquake flee owing to the ongoing conflict and Internally displaced persons: 150 000 coast, hundreds of thousands of people Like many others in Poonach- himself. Now, at least, he has a house. with the building and maintenance of tem- disaster. those displaced as a consequence of What the Norwegian Refugee Council is were left homeless by the wave. Many of chimunai, Raseeksha has had to flee – This is the only comfort I’ve got porary shelter and the provision of education the tsunami. doing: Began programme activities in In 2006, the Norwegian Refugee and legal advice. In addition, NRC has taken Building houses and temporary November, including the building of them were already victims of the long several times. The people of the village now, he explains, a smile breaking out over from UNHCR in the coordination and Council maintained offices in accommodation; running courses in temporary accommodation for inter- armed conflict in the country and living fled their homes following disturbances on his tired face. upgrading of almost 50 camps for those affec- camp operation and management. nally displaced persons in the area Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, ted by the earthquake. Pakistani authorities Rebuilding schools and training surrounding Dili. as internally displaced persons (IDPs). in 1986 and were living in temporary – Whatever the future holds, the Nepal and East Timor. NRC pursued are being trained in the running of camps, and teachers to help traumatised chil- will gradually take over this work towards the dren. 81 955 IDPs receive direct The enormous task of reconstruc- huts in the Batticaloa district until the 12th of July will always be a day to all its core activities in Asia during middle of 2007. assistance and 127 248 indirect tion following the tsunami is well un- tsunami forced them on the move remember in my life. For on that day the year. The programme on East assistance from NRC. der way, one of the goals being that the again. The population of the area is he was able to celebrate taking over his Timor was established in 2006. new buildings shall be better than the extremely mixed with Muslims, new house.

Afghanistan: her husband, who lost one of his legs Obidah’s story is a tragic one, women in similar situations the sup- to a mine, and their three children a fate she shares with many other port they need so that they can re- had been living as refugees in Iran for Afghans. All the same, her story has build Afghanistan, but we don’t force Helping vulnerable families several years before deciding to return not turned her into a victim: she is solutions upon them from outside. home to Afghanistan. a brave young woman continuing We rather make use of existing social In 2006, The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) provided – Our extended family has been to battle against all odds. structures so that the woman’s role is

PHOTO: NORWEGIAN REFUGEE COUNCIL shelter for 5000 Afghans, either internally displaced persons very generous towards us, but we – I can neither read nor write; that’s valued. This empowers people and or recent returnees. really don’t want to be a burden for why, unfortunately, I know so little provides them with options, says them if we don’t have to. It can create about what’s going on. Being illiterate Geminiano Montecchi, co-ordinator NRC prioritises protecting and her family were given a new house problems for us, for our family and is like being blind, Obidah says. for the NRC’s shelter project in assisting Afghans who may be because her husband is disabled the whole local community. We were Now the family is able to move into Afghanistan. described as particularly vulnerable and she must therefore act as the tremendously happy when the NRC a new house and the children can start or as having particular needs. head of the household. chose to provide us with a house, at an NRC-run school in the area. The Norwegian Refugee Council A young mother, Obidah, and Nineteen year-old Obidah, Obidah says. – We wish to give her and other building houses in Afghanistan.

12 ANNUAL REPORT THE NORWEGIAN REFUGEE COUNCIL 2006 ANNUAL REPORT THE NORWEGIAN REFUGEE COUNCIL 2006 13 PHOTO: NINA BIRKELAND/NORWEGIAN REFUGEE COUNCIL PHOTO: NINA BIRKELAND/NORWEGIAN

›› THE MIDDLE EAST

The Norwegian Refugee Lebanon Council (NRC) reached around Capital: Beirut Population: 3.9 million 10 000 refugees and inter- Refugees from other countries: nally displaced persons in 396 000 Palestinian refugees Internally displaced persons: 200 000 Palestinian the Middle East. Refugees in other countries: 700 Autonomous Areas What the Norwegian Refugee Council is Population: 3.9 million doing: Repairing houses damaged in Refugees: 1.86 million Challenges in the Middle East are the war between Hezbollah and Israel Internally displaced persons: 24 547 – 57 000 in the summer of 2006 to prepare the Refugees in other countries: 2.5 million to do with the extremely difficult ground for the return of internally What the Norwegian Refugee Council is doing: security situation in the Palestinian displaced persons. To date, the project Running a job creation scheme for the local involves approximately 850 families. population in collaboration with local public areas, the war between Israel and Arranged training courses in the authorities which, in addition to comprising Hezbollah and the unsettled politi- running of camps during, and im- 80 000 working days, will also improve local mediately after, the war. Currently infrastructure. cal situation in Lebanon. Approxi- broadening the scope of activities to mately one million people were for- encompass Palestinian refugees in ced to flee in Lebanon in the sum- 2007. mer of 2006 and extremely many houses and much of the infrastruc- ture were destroyed. NRC established country offices in Lebanon and Gaza in 2006 and Palestine: PHOTO: BENDIK SØRVIG, NORWEGIAN REFUGEE COUNCIL commenced large-scale recon- The war between Israel and Hezbollah led to enormous material damage in Lebanon. struction work in south Lebanon with comprehensive housing repair. New work In addition, camp management Lebanon: efforts were supported. In Rafah, in Gaza Gaza, NRC established a project PHOTO: BENDIK SØRVIG/NORWEGIAN REFUGEE COUNCIL to include improvement of public A job creation project in Gaza marks From flight to renewal infrastructure. the Norwegian Refugee Council’s arrival in the Palestinian areas. 21 000 homes totally destroyed, 137 000 houses damaged. The Norwegian Refugee Council is helping Lebanese returnees rebuild Ibrahim Arjilat (33) lives in the Rafah refugee their homes following the war last summer. camp at the southern end of the occupied Gaza Strip. He has had no work since the Palestinian – This is where a grenade came in and the infrastructure remains destroyed intifada began in 2000. Before the uprising he, wrecked the whole place, pensioned to this day whilst cluster munitions and like many of Gaza’s inhabitants, found work in Ibrahim Arjilat from the poor al-Juneinah- officer Abdallah Abdallah tells us, mines represent a grave danger. construction or agriculture over the border in area in Rafah has been out of work since pointing at the ground-floor entry The reconstruction has begun to Washing clothes in Rafah. before the start of the intifada in 2000.

FOTO: BENDIK SØRVIG/ FLYKTNINGHJELPEN Israel. Nowadays the borders to Gaza are almost to his house in Yohmor, southern gain pace, however, thanks largely to hermetically sealed. Lebanon. a local population which insists on The family leapt for cover from the returning to daily life as it was before 60 000 day’s work More than work missile and escaped with their lives the war. – My father used to have a regular job but now we For the inhabitants of Juneinah, however, it is but, like one million other Lebanese, a – People’s morale is high, but live on help from outside, says Ibrahim, adding not simply to do with work opportunities; by quarter of the country’s entire popula- ruined houses are a large problem here, that no-one in the immediate family has work. means of the project, the impoverished neigh- tion, Abdallah was forced to flee during particularly now that the winter has Now, however, Ibrahim and his neighbours bourhood will at last acquire a sewerage system last summer’s conflict between Israel come, says Abdallah. from the poor Juneinah area have the opportu- and much-improved sanitary conditions. and Hezbollah. – We have lived nity of getting work through the Norwegian Women washing clothes outside have nowhere Reconstruction with the local authorities and home with wars since Refugee Council’s job creation project. 60 000 to tip out dirty water but in the alleys outside Homes in ruins He, and many others like him, now owners, has reached 850 families in the end of the 60s. I wish we day’s work is to be created over a three-month their houses, turning the sand-covered passage- It was a sad sight that met Abdallah and have need of financial support. southern Lebanon. could finally have period. The project is supported by the Norwe- ways to mud. other returnees following the announce- Abdallah’s family is among those who Like many other home owners, calm here, says gian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and takes place – The streets are currently a spawning ment of the ceasefire on 14th July. The are receiving assistance through the Abdallah himself is active in making Abdallah. in collaboration with Rafah Council. The model ground for bacteria and insects, and the result war had left dramatic marks on almost NRC’s project for the rehabilitation repairs to his house, which he built at is to be repeated further north in the Gaza Strip, is illness, says Rafah Council’s project manager, all southern towns and villages. Thou- of damaged houses. So far, the project, the beginning of the 70s. He reckons at Deir al-Balah. Soheil Moussa. sands of homes lay in ruins. Much of which is carried out in collaboration the work will take about a month.

14 ANNUAL REPORT THE NORWEGIAN REFUGEE COUNCIL 2006 ANNUAL REPORT THE NORWEGIAN REFUGEE COUNCIL 2006 15 � ›› EUROPE

The Norwegian Refugee Council reached around 30 000 refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Europe in 2006.

The greatest challenges in the Caucasus are linked to the political situation and the lack of protection of IDPs and refugees in the Georgia Armenia Azerbaijan region. The relationship between the break Capital: Tbilisi Capital: Jerevan Capital: Baku Population: 4.6 million Population: 2.9 million Population: 7.9 million away regions Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Refugees from other countries: 2500 Refugees from other countries: Refugees from other countries: 3 300 Georgia has been tense and a new conflict Internally displaced persons: 11 300 Internally displaced: 220 – 240 000 Internally displaced: 8 400 578 545 – 686 586 could set off a domino effect in the rest of Refugees in other countries: 23 100 Refugees in other countries: 4 200 Refugees in other countries: 13 000 the region. The Georgian parliament resol- What the Norwegian Refugee Council What the Norwegian Refugee Council What the Norwegian Refugee Council is ved not to renew the mandate for Russian is doing: Providing counselling, infor- is doing: Building houses and flats, doing: Renovating community centres mation and legal assistance to 2 441 rehabilitating community centres, for internally displaced persons (IDPs). peace-keeping forces in these two Georgian individuals and 17 131 collectively. building and reconstructing schools Building houses. Providing IDPs, areas of conflict. NRC has been a central Rehabilitating community centres and carrying out water projects. returnees and refugees with counsel- and schools and building houses for Implementing an educational pro- ling and legal assistance in obtaining figure in the work of the Georgian authori- internaly displaced persons (IDPs), ject to produce teacher’s resource personal documents, confirming owner- ties to produce a unified strategy in relation including in Ossetia and Abkhazia. books and train teachers in human ship rights and pension entitlement, Training around 800 teachers – rights education as part of the basic and gaining access to public services. to IDPs. In Azerbaijan, the challenges have either IDPs or refugees – in new school syllabus. 2007 will see the Training and instructing 2000 various chiefly been to do with Chechen refugees teaching methods and providing phasing out of NRC activities in local representatives in the protection knowledge and information about Armenia but monitoring of the of refugees and IDPs. Distributing food and their possibilities of obtaining tempora- HIV/AIDS to 3000 young people. general refugee situation will each month to 2300 Chechen refugees ry residence in the country. Cooperating with voluntary organisa- continue from Tbilisi. and teaching 460 Chechen schoolchil- NRC conducted a process of regionalisa- tions and supporting their work in dren. Providing courses about human Central Asia. Will also monitor the rights and HIV/AIDS to teachers. The tion in the Caucasus in 2006, establishing situation in the North Caucasus bulk of NRC’s programmes will be a regional office in Tbilisi, Georgia, and region on the lookout for potential phased out during 2007. conflicts which may have consequen- maintaining programme offices in Armenia ces for Georgia and Azerbaijan. and Azerbaijan. Here, NRC carried out house-building and educational programmes as well as providing legal advice. The Norwegian Refugee Council shows the way Georgian Nana Chopliani gives instruction to She tells us that Georgia’s internally and Georgian teachers were present. teachers and lawyers, works with internally displaced persons generally have little – My face was like an impenetrable displaced children and is a school psychologist. confidence in voluntary organisations mask and I thought I’d just have to put because they have so often disappoint- up with their being there, Nana admits. She is also studying law at the university in ed before. The Norwegian Refugee Council provides Tbilisi. – The first time I met representa- Shared challenges information, counselling and legal advice to a displaced young woman in DR Congo. tives from the Norwegian Refugee She realised later that all teachers share Council (NRC), I had almost no the same challenges and difficulties. – When I began expectations. But the organisation is Moreover, NRC instruction never has teaching, I noti- extremely reliable and has got me to political overtones, so all participants ced the student’s understand that I can help improve can be frank and openly express their closed faces. the situation for internally displaced opinions about educational challenges. Their eyes were persons like me, Nana says. – Now we have a good relationship PHOTO: ASTRID SEHL/NORWEGIAN REFUGEE COUNCIL sad and full of with many of our Abkhasian colleagues questions. They Meeting with the enemy and I am convinced that the conflict reminded me of myself before I Meeting the NRC has also changed may be solved by peaceful means, Nana began to work Nana’s view of the Abkhasians, the concludes. for NRC, recalls conflict in the area and how it might Nana. be resolved. At the first class arranged PHOTO: NINA BIRKELAND/NORWEGIAN REFUGEE COUNCIL by NRC for teachers, both Abkhasian

16 ANNUAL REPORT THE NORWEGIAN REFUGEE COUNCIL 2006 ANNUAL REPORT THE NORWEGIAN REFUGEE COUNCIL 2006 17 ADVOCACY

PHOTO: RICHARD SKRETTEBERG/NORWEGIAN REFUGEE COUNCIL PHOTO: RICHARD SKRETTEBERG/NORWEGIAN ›› Uganda at the The NRC’s work for a steadily – have a different role from that of increasing number of internally the authorities. If we do not always displaced persons has justifiably wholly agree with one another in attracted international attention. all cases, my experience is that we EU parliament By carefully targeting its efforts, complement each other well in our the NRC has succeeded in becom- shared work to protect and assist At the initiative of the Norwegian Refugee ing a recognised international displaced people, to give them hope humanitarian player and partner – and courage. Council (NRC), a hearing concerning the for the United Nations, and for the Norwegian Refugee Council humanitarian and political situation in High Commissioner for Refugees, operations contribute to giving northern Uganda was held on the 5th UNHCR, in particular. This contri- Norway a clear profile in this October at the EU parliament. butes to the strengthening of our important humanitarian area, and cooperation with the UN and other I wish to strengthen cooperation international organisations – such with the organisation in the years – The hearing was an important contribution to as the Organisation for Security to come. lifting the humanitarian crisis up to a high political and Cooperation in Europe Congratulations on your 60 level in Europe. The neglected conflict in northern (OSCE). years’ work for displaced persons, Uganda is now threatening the peace of the whole The protection of refugees, and for people’s dignity. region, and an international effort is required to whether they have crossed national solve the humanitarian crisis and secure peace in the boundaries or remain in their own Jonas Gahr Støre area, says NRC Secretary General Tomas C. Archer. countries, is also prioritised by the Minister of Foreign He was also one of the introductory speakers to the Norwegian government. Humanita- Affairs rian organisations can – and must hearing. A number of EU parliamentarians also want the EU leadership to assume greater responsibility for the humanitarian and political crisis in northern Uganda. The hearing at the EU parliament coincided with In 2006, the NRC travelled to Algeria involved with the reform of UNHCR following the visit led to considerable the release of a new report documenting the human- and Western Sahara, to the Saharawi as an organisation. media coverage and discussion in itarian and political situation in the area. The report, refugees who have been living in NRC made its mark in the Norwe- political milieus. The Ministry of which was initiated by the NRC and prepared by Committed advocate camps since the Moroccan occupation gian debate concerning the use of Foreign Affairs spoke out and advised human rights organisation Refugee Law Project in of Western Sahara in 1975. UNHCR recommendations by the against all economic contact with Kampala, concludes that Uganda authorities con- state. NRC recognises that states are Western Sahara. Rafto Prize winner tinue to neglect the humanitarian crisis in the north Advocacy work is one of the Norwegian Refugee Council’s major pillars not bound by such guidelines, but is of Sidi Mohammed Daddach from of the country. and means applying political pressure to secure the rights of refugees the opinion that a state should adhere Western Sahara had his confiscated NRC also used the occasion to celebrate the and internally displaced persons. to the guidelines on principle unless it passport returned to him after NRC official opening of its Brussels office. can provide good reason as to why it and 30 other organisations sent letters chooses not to do so. Here the media of protest to the Moroccan govern- FOTO: ROALD HØVRING/FLYKTNINGHJELPEN This work involves the Norwegian of protection and advocacy advisors important UN fora throughout the chose to turn its spotlight on countries ment. Refugee Council (NRC) directly ad- within the country programmes. By year, firstly on UNHCR’s Executive such as Afghanistan, Somalia and Iraq. NRC was also active in the promo- dressing local and national authorities, cultivating and professionalising our Committee and then later at the UN To focus on forgotten or ignored tion of Bhutanese refugees’ rights in the UN, other aid organisations, im- advocacy work in the field, NRC will General Assembly. NRC also partici- conflicts is an important part of NRC’s Nepal, and of victims’ demands for portant donors and regional organisa- be able to put the rights of refugees pated in the so-called annual consulta- advocacy work. International efforts truth, justice and compensation in tions such as the African Union and and internally displaced persons ever tions prior to the meeting of the are far too often governed by the west- Colombia. One other important issue the EU. We use our experience from more squarely on the political agenda, UNHCR Executive Committee. The ern world’s proximity to, or interest in, for NRC this year was to warn of the the field, pointing to problems when both on a national and international UNHCR focus, for obvious reasons, the conflict concerned. If the media dangers of the regionalisation of con- assistance does not reach those who level. During the last year, NRC has was on their new responsibilities in re- ignore a conflict, civilian victims often flicts in which neighbouring countries need it, or when refugees and internal- maintained special focus on the dramat- lation to internally displaced persons receive less assistance than the need with the potential for conflict, or where ly displaced persons are subject to ic worsening of the situation in Darfur and the implementation of the ”cluster would suggest was necessary. In the an ignored conflict is already taking As initiative taker and host, NRC Secretary General Tomas C. Archer (left) opened the hearing. abuse without the responsible authori- in Sudan, on Uganda and Afghanistan. model”. In this respect NRC was able to autumn of 2006, NRC undertook a place, are drawn into existing larger It was described by many as an important step ties taking action. In Afghanistan NRC was chosen to contribute its experience from the field visit to Algeria and Western Sahara to conflicts. An example of this is the towards greater European commitment to solving In order to improve information represent a raft of aid organisations and to pass this on to other involved investigate the situation of Saharawi danger of conflict escalation in Chad the political and humanitarian crisis in north flow and apply pressure more effective- at a meeting with a top UN Security parties, both on the UNHCR Executive refugees who have been living in camps and the Central African Republic Uganda, and was attended by almost 150 invited ly, the last 12 months has seen NRC Council delegation in November. Committee and in relation to the UN since the Moroccan occupation of owing to the situation in Darfur. guests. invest in the development of a network NRC participated in a number of General Assembly. NRC was also Western Sahara in 1975. NRC activity

18 ANNUAL REPORT THE NORWEGIAN REFUGEE COUNCIL 2006 ANNUAL REPORT THE NORWEGIAN REFUGEE COUNCIL 2006 19 ADVOCACY THE NORWEGIAN REFUGEE COUNCIL 1946-2006

The UN High Western Sahara: Commissioner for Refugees, António Guter- res, and NRC Five days at home Secretary Gene- ral, Tomas C. The wall has gone from Europe but remains Archer, sign the in Western Sahara. It ensures that the strategic co- operation agree- majority of Saharawi, the original popula- ment. tion of the country, are physically excluded from their home country.

Nevertheless, Lahssin Hussein, who lives in a refugee PHOTO: NORWEGIAN REFUGEE COUNCIL camp in Algeria, was able to visit her parents in an occu- pied area for the first time in 30 years. Families have been separated for decades, but now visiting arrangements have been put into place through The Geneva Office the UN. Refugees in Algerian camps are now allowed to visit their families in occupied areas for five days. The Norwegian Refugee internally displaced. On the basis of Demand is enormous, however, and there are thousands Council’s (NRC) Geneva office its UN mandate, IDMC has moni- on the waiting list. can look back on an active tored and reported upon the situation – I was overjoyed when I heard it was my turn, says of about 24 million internally dis- fifty year-old Lahssin. and productive year. placed persons in over 50 countries Those five April days in 2006 will be a tearful memory where conflicts have forced people to for the rest of her life. We meet her in the Smara refugee The office has been actively involved flee their homes within their own camp, one of four camps that house a total of 165 000 in the Humanitarian Reform Process countries. The Geneva office has also Saharawi refugees in the middle of the Algerian desert. and has strengthened cooperation worked as a spokesperson to promote Five months have passed since her visit to Laayoune, the with important partners such as the durable solutions for internally dis- Western Saharan capital, where her parents live. ILL. COX UN High Commissioner for Refugees placed persons in keeping with rele- – We used the five days at our disposal to cry and (UNHCR), the UN Office for the vant international standards such as hold each other. When we said goodbye, I knew it was Coordination of Humanitarian Af- the UN guidelines for the internally the last time I would see my parents alive and the first 60 years for displaced persons fairs (OCHA) and the UN representa- displaced. The year also saw IDMC and last time that my children would meet their grand- tive for the internally displaced. The contribute to the strengthening of the parents. NRC Geneva office played an impor- humanitarian community’s capacity Despite the occupation, gross breaches of human NRC, under the name Aid to Europe (Europa- Europe. In 1974, the first TV campaign, NRC increasingly becomes an opera- tant role in the negotiation and to protect the internally displaced by rights in the occupied areas and UN demands going all hjelpen), is established in the spring of 1946 ”Refugee 74”, is arranged. tional organisation, providing effective development of a strategic partner- holding more than 20 courses about the way back to 1960 that the Western Saharan popula- to assist refugees in Europe following World NRC has responsibility for the re- aid where the need is greatest. During ship agreement between UNHCR and the issue in 13 countries. The Geneva tion be allowed to determine the country’s status ception and integration of refugees, but the 90s, half of the organisation’s activ- War II. the NRC. NRC is the first organisa- office cooperated with and supported through a referendum, the Saharawi have been a for- when the flow of refugees to the West ity is to do with projects in the Balkans. tion to enter into such an agreement local and national initiatives in civil gotten group of refugees. In 1953, the newly named Norwegian becomes too great, capacity is over- In 1995, the INCOR project is set up to with UNHCR. society which cover various areas of Refugee Council (Det Norske loaded. This work is taken over by the provide information and counselling on The NRC Geneva office has ad- NRC’s mandate. In addition, the of- Flyktningeråd) takes over two major state in 1982, allowing NRC to focus on repatriation and return to refugees and dressed itself both to the authorities fice established a national network of Lahssin says: My tasks: Aid to refugees in the world at aid work abroad, emphasising its role as asylum-seekers in Norway. In 1999, the in countries with internally displaced voluntary organisations working with parents are old large and aid to refugees in Norway. an independent spokesperson. Internal Displacement Monitoring persons and to donors in order to conditions for internally displaced and I had lost all When, in 1956, the Soviet Union The next decade is characterised by Centre for the monitoring and analysis strengthen their will and ability to persons. hope of ever see- brutally puts down the Hungarian aid to refugees in south-east Asia but, at of the situation for internally displaced protect this vulnerable group. NRC IDMC work in Geneva has con- ing them again. uprising, NRC provides assistance to the same time, there is a growing aware- persons opens in Geneva. has received great support and re- tributed to the NRC supreme objec- My five children refugees. During the 1950s, the refugee ness that half the world’s refugees are to In 1997 NRC’s status is changed cognition for this work, particularly tive of improving the national and were all born in problem in Europe is close to being be found in Africa. from that of an umbrella organisation Algerian refugee from donor countries. supranational capacity to protect and solved, but now people are being forced The end of the Cold War in the 90s for NGOs to that of an independent, camps and they In 2006, the NRC Internal Displace- assist millions of displaced people to flee in other parts of the world. NRC changes the face of international con- private foundation. had never before ment Monitoring Centre (IDMC), around the world, whether or not seen their grand- directs its efforts towards the Middle flict. More armed conflicts taking place NRC is also providing assistance to which is part of the Geneva office, they have crossed a national bound- parents or their East, Asia and Africa. within national boundaries, combined people affected by the tsunami disaster strengthened its position as the ary or are displaced within their own home country. During World Refugee Year (1959– with more stringent asylum policies in in the Indian Ocean and the earthquake primary source of information and countries. 60), fund-raising campaigns are held to the West, lead to greater numbers of in Pakistan.

analysis of the world situation for the PHOTO: RICHARD SKRETTEBERG/NORWEGIAN REFUGEE COUNCIL facilitate the closure of refugee camps in internally displaced persons.

20 ANNUAL REPORT THE NORWEGIAN REFUGEE COUNCIL 2006 ANNUAL REPORT THE NORWEGIAN REFUGEE COUNCIL 2006 21 COMMUNICATION INTERNAL CAPACITY BUILDING

Training of national Increased commitment staff in Uganda. to press and web

New web-pages, a new departmental structure and a new leader in just a few hectic autumn months. A spring with many large press notices and the publication of the Refugee Accounts for the third time. That’s how Head of Communications Rolf Andreas Vestvik sums up the year for the department

he has led since September. REFUGEE COUNCIL PHOTO: MARIT MÆHLUM/NORWEGIAN

– The launch of the new web-pages for including Norway, has now been made the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) much clearer. Streamlining NRC

on the 12th December was a milestone After the communications depart- PHOTO: NORWEGIAN REFUGEE COUNCIL and a great lift for the entire organisa- ment was separated from the market- Capacity building, organisational assessment, a new document tion, says Vestvik. ing department in September, press management system and new web-based solutions formed the Among other things, the new for- work, web, publications and lobby 2006 programme for the Internal Capacity Building Unit (ICBU). mat means that all parts of the organi- work have become the key tasks of the sation now have a channel to commu- new department. nicate their activities to the outside – In addition, we collaborate with An induction course to ensure that all the unit coordinated the follow up of world, enabling the presentation of the the marketing department on press members of staff have a shared under- the extensive Tsunami evaluation of whole spectrum of NRC activities. In work to do with NRC-run events and standing of the Norwegian Refugee 2005. This work was presented to the addition, the new platform supports campaigns, explains Vestvik. On June 20th, World Refugee Day, the Norwegian Council’s (NRC) objectives, history and board in May. increased interactivity, enabling us to – We are working for increased Darfur as the subject for a photo- Refugee Council released the Refugee Account, an areas of work has been developed by the In 2006, the Ministry of Foreign have closer contact with the general visibility in the media, the goal being graphic exhibition this summer, and updated reference book about refugees and internal- capacity unit and is now compulsory, Affairs and the Norwegian Agency for ly displaced persons around the world. Visitors to public, who also have more opportuni- for most press notices to have a clear for Refugee Day in June, both of which in practice, for all new staff members Development Cooperation (NORAD) our stand in Rådhusplassen, Oslo, were given infor- ties of supporting our work. The web- refugee focus and, as far as possible, were also covered by the media. at Head Office and for those employed examined NRC’s ability to deliver in ac- mation about Norwegian Refugee Council activities. pages contain news and background to be about the work being done in – In the autumn, the department internationally on our programmes. cordance with its mandate. The ensuing information about the world refugee countries with an NRC programme. targeted efforts towards the interna- The goal is for all national staff in all report confirmed that measures imple- The Norwegian situation: stories, background and – Our objective is to reach as many tional press, particularly in connection countries to be offered the induction mented to strengthen the organisation’s Refugee Council’s project information about the coun- people as possible by means of con- with a hearing at the EU parliament in New this year are specialist seminars/ course on a regular basis. internal processes are both relevant and Head of Foreign tries where we are active and our core scious prioritisation of the large, Brussels and in relation to the situation lunch seminars for journalists, where necessary. ICBU participated in this Affairs, Jens activities. Country information and nationwide media, says Vestvik. If in Darfur, Vestvik adds. the press gets to meet country directors NRC’s learning calendar work on behalf of NRC. Mjaugedal, in statistics from the Refugee Accounts we compare the number of items in Field assignments are extremely and other staff from countries with A calendar giving an overview of conversation with (Flyktningregnskapet 2006) have now November 2005 with the same month important to convey the reality of the NRC programmes when they are here training courses offered throughout the New document management system NRK correspon- also been made available through our this year, we can see we had 81 press countries where we are active and, dur- in Norway. Subjects have included the organisation is regularly set up and distri- At NRC Head Office, all storage of dent, Lars Sigurd web atlas. Which activities we are notices with 18.4 million potential ing the year, we have had journalists worsening of conditions in Darfur and buted to all country offices and depart- documents was transferred to the 80-20 Sunnanå in engagaed in in each individual country, recipients in 2005 and a total of 161 visit our projects in Pakistan, Sudan the situation in Afghanistan and Uganda. ments by the ICBU. External courses Document manager system during the Somalia. press notices with 27.5 million poten- and Afghanistan. There was also a tour It is crucial that all members of staff about human rights, humanitarian work, autumn. This has made document tial recipients in 2006. TV coverage in to Iraq, a country where we are not are aware of the importance of the management and planning are offered to sharing and searches very easy. particular was better in 2006, and at engaged in our traditional projects but media and, during 2006, media and NRC staff. In collaboration with the the same time we can see a generally where we investigate conditions for communication as an issue in itself has departments at Head Office, arrange- Commitment to web-based solutions better spread across the various media, returnees. become part of the introductory course ments are also made for internal depart- NRC’s new internet pages represented with more items on the radio and on Publication of the Refugee Accounts for everyone at Head Office and for mental training. The unit has also con- a real milestone. ICBU was responsible the net. is one of the largest and most impor- those employed internationally within tributed to the planning of specialist for the purchase of a new publishing sys- Efforts to do with the press have tant aspects of the spring and Refugee the organisation. We are putting further seminars available to all and planning tem, the development of a new, modern been aimed at Darfur in particular, Day is rapidly turning into a tradition. efforts into the production of a sepa- seminars for Head Office. design, careful consideration of content something which has maintained The department has also been respon- rate handbook in media work which and the organisation of content produc- media coverage throughout the year, sible for a number of publications this is also to be made available at all our Evaluation work tion. ICBU had a key role in intranet with printed articles both in Norway year, including the Annual Report and country offices. ICBU is responsible for the following up development. and in large, international newspapers. information brochures about various of NRC evaluation policy. Evaluations of

PHOTO: GLENN PETTERSEN In addition, we consciously chose activities within the organisation. varying scope have been completed and

22 ANNUAL REPORT THE NORWEGIAN REFUGEE COUNCIL 2006 ANNUAL REPORT THE NORWEGIAN REFUGEE COUNCIL 2006 23 STANDBY CAPACITY XXXXXXX

Always ready >> NORMIDEAST PHOTO: NORWEGIAN REFUGEE COUNCIL The Norwegian Refugee Council’s (NRC) Finding creative solutions

standby forces comprise 600 women and FOTO: FLYKTNINGHJELPEN - My main responsibility is to operations in Katanga Province, plus men who, on 72-hour notice, can set out to maintain a continuous flow of the monitoring and supervision of the perform emergency assistance work all food to around 300,000 bene- logistics operations of two WFP offices over the world. in Kalemie and Kindu. The main objec- ficiaries in Katanga Province, tive is to maintain a continuous flow of They are mechanics, teachers, lawyers, business says NORMIDEAST member food from the main reception point to managers, tele-technicians and other specialists who Jamal Shafagoj from Jordan. the final beneficiaries in Katanga wish to make a contribution in another country. He is currently working as a Province. – I knew that the NRC standby forces were swift to supply person- Logistics Officer for the World – Our major concern is to meet the tion in Katanga and helped him inter- humanitarian nel to the UN in connection with the dramatic Food Programme (WFP) in the urgent needs of thousands of IDPs, nalize the logistical challenges faced by situation in DR developments in the Middle East in the summer of returnees and local vulnerable popula- all humanitarian organisations in the Congo remains 2006. Ten people were sent out to assignments in Democratic Republic of the tions, Jamal says. province. one of the most the Palestinian areas during the escalation in the Congo. Jamal has found the WFP second- When Jamal joined the Emergency serious crises in humanitarian crisis there, and a further twelve were ment challenging, both professionally Standby Force, he was highly motivated the world, says rapidly stationed in Lebanon and Syria during the Jamal Shafagoj. – My current mission has brought me and personally. – I learnt how to work to get involved with humanitarian war in Lebanon. to Lubumbashi, the capital of Katanga in a different environment with major work, wanting to make a difference 2006 saw the establishment of PROCAP, an inter- Province in the Democratic Republic logistical challenges and also how to in the world. Before leaving for his agency project which seeks to enhance UN protec- >> NORSTAFF tion response. NRC recruits, employs and administer of the Congo. The Katanga Province create solutions for existing problems: NORMIDEAST mission, he prepared PROCAP’s core team. The project has led to similar – Tempted to return! represents the biggest WFP interven- filling a special train with food, for thoroughly: co-assignments with the UN in 2007, including work tion in DRC with its vast territory of example, made transport extremely – Naturally, I knew that the human- with sexual equality and mediation. In addition, the 518,000 km2 and a population of effective. We not only got more food to itarian situation in DRC remains one department worked out a four-year development plan Ingelin Ladsten from Florø/Oslo returned from a NORSTAFF around 4.1 million including 300,000 more people but also achieved a drastic of the most serious crises in the world. for work with NRC standby forces. mission in Burundi for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees internally displaced persons (IDPs) cut in transportation costs, Jamal says. However, I did more extensive research The Norwegian Refugee Council has four standby and returnees in urgent need of hu- The additional task of chairing regular prior to departure, particularly to find forces: NORSTAFF, (UNHCR) just before Christmas. And she’d be more than happy manitarian assistance, Jamal explains. Logistics Cluster meetings has also out about conditions in Katanga NORAFRIC, NORMIDEAST, and NORDEM, the to travel out on other missions. As a Logistics Officer he is respon- given him a better grasp of the global Province, he explains. latter in collaboration with the Center for Human sible for all logistical aspects of WFP approach to humanitarian interven- Rights. Her job as Field/Protection Officer for Ingelin’s regular work is with the • NORSTAFF is a standby force made up of about UNHCR in Burundi included work in Immigration Appeals Board, dealing 400 women and men from different professional camps for Rwandan asylum-seekers. with asylum cases from, among other backgrounds. This standby force is primarily used for – When asylum-seekers were re- places, Rwanda and Burundi. When UN assignments, but members may also be sent out jected or withdrew their applications, she applied to the Emergency Standby Sam Okudi on special assignments for other organisations. one of my tasks was to make sure they Forces, she had little experience of >> NORAFRIC installing techni- cal equipment • NORAFRIC is made up of 54 African members could return to their home country fieldwork. essential to UN from different professional categories. This standby under dignified conditions. At the – When I did my French degree, force is used for the same type of assignment as the field work. busiest time, two-three return convoys specialising in African literature, I On assignment for the UN NORSTAFF-force. crossed the border every week, making spent a month in Ivory Coast. Ever • NORMIDEAST was established in 2005 to Sam Okudi from Uganda is currently on a NORAFRIC mission great demands of logistics and practical since then I’ve wanted to go back and expand the recruitment area for humanitarian ope- in Monrovia, Liberia, working under the World Food Pro- arrangements. We also had to make work in Africa. This mission lasted six rations. This force gives the UN access to qualified sure that the elderly and infirm got the months and it was a very instructive gramme’s (WFP) Information and Communication Technologies personnel from the Middle East and surrounding

Department. PHOTO: NORWEGIAN REFUGEE COUNCIL countries. The 37 members have knowledge about assistance they needed, and that chil- period. the region, its language and religion. dren were not sent back before we had – Collaborating in an international • NORDEM has more than 200 members and found carers to receive them when they environment is demanding but in- – I’m a Telecommunications Officer, security or used in the operation or of the Emergency Standby Forces, Sam covers activity areas such as election observation, arrived, Ingelin explains. structive, and I’ve come in contact and responsible for the installation, implementation of various pro- has been on similar missions before. human rights observation, advice in connection with Another important job was to pro- with many different work cultures. operation, maintenance and service of grammes. – I am always ready to leave at short elections, investigation of gross violations of human vide information to Burundian refu- In particular, I noticed that we North all communications and IT equipment. – One important experience I notice, and I love field work, he says, rights, the development of democratic institutions gees in Rwanda and Tanzania about Europeans have a more direct way of I also repair radio and communica- gained from being seconded, is that adding that he has had similar mis- and democratisation work in general. conditions in their home country, so communicating than in many other tions equipment whenever necessary, one has to be able to adjust to different sions for the last four years and that they had the best possible foundation places. Sometimes you have to find Sam explains. This equipment is im- environments, and be prepared to cope being part of an emergency standby to judge whether or not they wanted to completely new work strategies and portant for fieldwork in many ways: with them, he says. force is now part of his everyday life. return home. ways of cooperating. it may be a tool used for personnel Like many of the other members

24 ANNUAL REPORT THE NORWEGIAN REFUGEE COUNCIL 2006 ANNUAL REPORT THE NORWEGIAN REFUGEE COUNCIL 2006 25 INFORMATION AND COUNSELLING

PHOTO: ASO KARIM/NORWEGIAN REFUGEE COUNCIL ›› A comprehensive perspec- Just before Christmas in 2005 I was in Pakistan to meet victims of the earthquake disaster in the mountain area close to Kashmir. To travel from the safety of Norway, meet people who have lost everything, and then come back again is a mentally demanding journey. When we tive on refugee issues took leave of the area, it was good to think that the victims of the disaster were not left alone. The Norwegian Refugee Council was there, in exactly the same way that it has been there for people in times of crisis and war for the last 60 years. With its professional expertise and an important mandate, the Norwegian Refugee Council has The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) has long experience of displaced people both a proud history and important tasks to come. Good luck. in different parts of the world. Asylum-seekers, refugees and the people who Jens Stoltenberg, Prime Minister meet them as part of their work benefit from this knowledge through NRC activities in Norway.

Since 1995, the Norwegian Refugee Coun- culminated in a report: ”Work with their ability to function – whether in Observation and training cil has been providing information and unaccompanied young asylum-seekers Welfare officer Norway or in their country of origin NRC’s observation and training pro- counselling about return and repatriation from a repatriation perspective”. By Tuva Wathne at some time in the future. NRC passes gramme for work partners in asylum to asylum-seekers and refugees through means of information and attitude teaches residents on experience from its international centres and public administration the INCOR project (Information and development, the project aims to show at Sunndal asylum work with displaced persons so that it again got under way in 2006. Observers centre. Counselling on Return and Repatriation). how family reunion in the home coun- may be used in reception and integra- spend two-three weeks in one of the try may be an alternative to staying in tion work in Norway. countries where NRC is active. The Return to Afghanistan Norway. NRC experience suggests that In 2006, the Competence Centre turn and repatriation. Nine asylum first tour saw three asylum centre In 2006, as a result of the tripartite agree- home-country focus means a lot to held four sets of courses over three centres made use of the NRC guidance The Informer Group leaders travel to Liberia in November. ment between Norway, Afghanistan and children and young people in terms days for local authority staff who meet service in 2006. Four sessions, for all The NRC informer group provides or- The purpose of the programme is to UNHCR, a large amount of NRC work of their self-identity and well-being, refugees and asylum-seekers. The asylum centre staff, are arranged dur- ganisations, associations, schools, busi- build bridges between the international concentrated on return to Afghanistan. whether or not the child is to remain courses examine subjects such as the ing the year. Topics covered include in- nesses and other interested parties with effort for displaced persons and the NRC provided information and legal in Norway. world refugee situation, refugees’ formation about selected countries in insight into the world refugee situation work with refugees in Norway. advice about return to Afghans. rights, coping strategies and the possi- crisis and conflict, and conversational and the work of international organi- INCOR employees passed on informa- Competence Development bilities of repatriation and return. methodology. sations. NRC now has around 50 in- tion about conditions in Afghanistan with In 2006, the Norwegian Section’s Com- Course participants came from local NRC believes that a comprehensive formers who are either members of the An INCOR staff particular focus on housing, work, school- petence Centre extended its range of authority refugee services, social and perspective on refugee issues is an im- emergency standby forces or have member in con- versation with a ing, health and safety. In order to deepen courses, training and guidance services health services, nursery schools and portant precondition to the success of worked in the field on NRC projects. resident at Lier local knowledge, NRC staff from projects for asylum centre staff and others child care services. settlement and integration work in During 2006, the informer group took Refugee Recep- in Afghanistan worked for extended within the local community who meet Staff at asylum centres often need Norway. It means building bridges part in many introductory courses and tion Centre. periods in Norway and INCOR employees refugees and asylum-seekers. The greater knowledge about the back- between the past, the present and the gave over 50 talks across the country, visited Afghanistan. In cases where the centre also offers lectures from the ground of asylum-seekers and refugees future, and acknowledging the impact offering first-hand knowledge and need for protection may have changed, field and field observation. who come to Norway, and about re- displacement has on people’s lives and experience from the field. PHOTO: HAMID DARWESH/NRC NRC provided legal advice to the person concerned as to whether he/she should ask the authorities to review the case. Although return to Afghanistan formed a large part of the workload in Chose to return High cost of living Security 2006, INCOR maintained a broad target – Water, fuel, food and rent are very All the same, the greatest challenge for group of asylum-seekers and refugees of After three years’ uncertainty in Norway, Nazar Nael chose expensive, says Nael, who is worried by people in Afghanistan is security. many nationalities. The majority of en- to return to Afghanistan. There he has created his own the high cost of living in Kabul. He – As soon as it gets dark, everybody quiries came from Afghans, Iraqis and workplace. rents a house with his uncle, the only hurries home. People are scared of Somalis, the largest groups of asylum- other family member in Afghanistan criminals and of becoming victims of FOTO: FLYKTNINGHJELPEN seekers in Norway. In order to gain further In 2003 Nazar Nael came alone to Established own workplace who is still alive. violence. The lack of law and order and knowledge of the reintegration experiences Norway. When his application for Before travelling home, Nael was assistance to establish one’s own work- – I would like a house, wife and corrupt public employees are a prob- of returnee asylum-seekers and refugees, asylum was finally rejected in May informed of the support to which he place, and Nael has opened a shop in children but the financial situation is lem, says Nael who, despite the chal- INCOR also visited north Iraq in 2006. 2006, he chose voluntary return to has a right under the tripartite agree- Kabul. Today, he is able to point to difficult. If I get married here in Af- lenges that Afghanistan faces, advises Afghanistan with assistance from the ment on return between Norway, good results. ghanistan, people will think I’m rich others to accept voluntary return rath- Home-country focus International Organisation for Afghanistan and the United Nations – My little business keeps me busy. because I’ve come back from Europe er than live year after year in uncer- The Norwegian Refugee Council also Migration (IOM). High Commissioner for Refugees I built the shop out of the cheapest and the price of the wedding will rise. tainty at asylum centres. works with home-country focus for un- (UNHCR). IOM provides economic materials I could find, which IOM then accompanied young asylum-seekers. In paid for. 2006, a three-year development project

26 ANNUAL REPORT THE NORWEGIAN REFUGEE COUNCIL 2006 ANNUAL REPORT THE NORWEGIAN REFUGEE COUNCIL 2006 27 INCOME ALL PHOTOS: LISA RYPENG/THE NORWEGIAN SCOUT ASSOCIATION

Great excitement in Youngstorget during the Idol concert which kicked off the Scout campaign in aid of internally More money – more aid displaced persons in northern Uganda.

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) provides rapid, effective assistance to Refugees (UNHCR). This considerably the year. In addition to their support law students’ humanitarian campaign strengthened previous positions, such strengthens the cooperative relationship in Azerbaijan, Georgia and Angola, also focused on Liberia, and our legal as on June 20th – World Refugee Day displaced persons –whoever or wherever they are. To be able to do this, we between the UN and NRC. In 2006, as Statoil’s contributions to earthquake aid projects in the country. The cam- – and in relation to the campaign for depend on a wide range of donors. well as UNHCR, NRC had cooperative disaster victims in Pakistan was of paign produced a solid contribution HRH Crown Prince Haakon and HRH agreements with the World Food Pro- considerable importance to the NRC to this work. Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s Humani- In order to maintain economic inde- Norwegian partner. We also received gramme (WFP), the United Nations operation. tarian Fund. In addition, we collaborat- pendence, NRC works towards as large support from the EU Commission. Our Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the United NRC has prioritised the develop- Increased awareness provides ed with the World Food Programme an income base as possible, both in partnership agreement with the Swedish Nations Educational Scientific and ment and maintenance of a network of increased income (WFP) and logistics company TNT terms of the number and types of International Development Co-opera- Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), the organisations. Organisations such as the In the course of the last year, we have on the international ”Fight Hunger” donor, and sources of income generally. tion Agency (SIDA) was also extended International Organisation for Migra- Norwegian Scout Association and the reached many new donors by means campaign. All these arrangements Cooperation with our national and in 2006. Moreover, NRC consolidated tion (IOM) and the United Nations Union of Education Norway (UEN) are of product development and new chan- helped our work become more visible, international partners was therefore partnerships with the Swiss Agency for Development Programme (UNDP). key partners. In situations of humani- nels. In November, NRC released its and the more that people know about a prioritised area in 2006. Development and Cooperation (SDC), NRC’s Internal Displacement tarian crisis, they are able to mobilise Christmas gift catalogue. The response our work, the more willing they are to the Netherlands Refugee Foundation Monitoring Centre in Geneva received their members at short notice, as dem- was excellent and shows great willing- support displaced persons. Norwegian partners (SV), the Department for International additional support in 2006 from the onstrated by UEN following the conflict ness to support our work. The challenge NRC also receives income from The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Development (DFID) in Britain and United States Agency for International in Lebanon this summer. The Norwe- is ours: We must become even better at gaming machines, but this is likely to Affairs and NORAD are NRC’s largest the Danish International Development Development (USAID), the Department gian Scout Association once again man- giving people clear, concrete options. come to an end in 2007. Our goal is to donors and strategic partners in most Agency (DANIDA). NRC also received of Foreign Affairs and International aged to mobilise thousands of its mem- The development of our web portal has replace these funds from more reliable countries where the organisation is financial support from the American- Trade, Canada and the Netherlands bers for the annual collecting campaign, provided us with a completely new sources of income. The greatest support active. based Tides Foundation for the first Ministry of Foreign Affairs. which this year was in aid of the humani- marketplace and many opportunities, in this regard comes from our regular time. tarian crisis in northern Uganda. The not least for NRC’s popular travel donors, who choose the most cost- International partners NRC works in close cooperation New opportunities in Norway Norwegian Sports Organisation is a new lottery. efficient way of supporting our work. NRC continued to broaden its interna- with a range of UN organisations. Cooperation with organisations and addition to our network. Through this Finding new markets and points of Their contribution is invaluable. tional donor base in 2006. Our collabo- In 2006, NRC became the first interna- businesses provides NRC with impor- new partnership, we are now able to inte- contact has been a particular focus of ration with the EU and its humanitarian tional voluntary organisation to enter tant financial and professional support. grate sports into our educational pro- our work. Over the last year, we have arm, ECHO, was extended, thus main- into a strategic partnership agreement Cooperation with Statoil in particular grammes for children and adolescents managed to make ourselves both visible taining NRC’s position as ECHO’s largest with the UN High Commissioner for has been strengthened in the course of in civil war-torn Liberia. In August, the and familiar in new arenas, and

28 ANNUAL REPORT THE NORWEGIAN REFUGEE COUNCIL 2006 ANNUAL REPORT THE NORWEGIAN REFUGEE COUNCIL 2006 29 THE ORGANISATION

Organisational chart 2006

Board

Secretary General

Finance and Administration Deputy Secretary General

Internal Capacity Building Unit

Advocacy and Policy Unit Geneva Office/Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC)

Program Norway International Dep. Communication Dep. Marketing Dep. Emergency Dep.

Country Offices Angola, Burundi, DR Congo, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Somalia, Sudan, Uganda, Lebanon, Palestinian areas, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Afganistan/Pakistan, East Timor, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Colombia, Belgium In Uganda, the Norwegian Refugee Council has begun a project to enable internally displaced persons to pro- duce their own food. Women and children have become less dependent Sources: IDMC, The Annual Refugee Account 2006 (Flyktningregnskapet 2006), The World on food distribution. Factbook. The figures for internally diplaced persons are taken from the IDMC’s website. PHOTO: ROALD HØVRING/NORWEGIAN REFUGEE COUNCIL

30 ÅRSRAPPORT FLYKTNINGHJELPEN 2006 The Norwegian Refugee Council e-mail: [email protected] Internet: www.flyktninghjelpen.no PO Box 6758 St. Olavs plass, NO-0130 OSLO ISBN: 978-82-7411-172-9 Switchboard: +47 23 10 98 00 Co. Reg. no.: 977 538 319 Fax: 23 10 98 01 Office address: Grensen 17