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2025-03-07T17:14:12Z

Incorrect sourcing and not neutral language

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{{Short description|Norwegian humanitarian organization}}
{{Infobox organization
| name = Norwegian Refugee Council
| logo = File:Norwegian Refugee council english logo.svg
| type = [[Humanitarian Aid|Humanitarian]] [[NGO]]
| founded = 1946
| location = [[Oslo]], [[Norway]]
| staff = 15,000
| fields = [[Humanitarian Aid]], [[Activism]]
| leader_title = Secretary General
| leader_name = [[Jan Egeland]]
| services =
| homepage = {{URL|www.nrc.no}}
}}
The '''Norwegian Refugee Council''' ('''NRC'''; {{langx|no|Flyktninghjelpen}}) is a humanitarian, non-governmental organisation that protects the rights of people affected by displacement. This includes refugees and [[internally displaced persons]] who are forced to flee their homes as a result of conflict, human rights violations and acute violence, as well as climate change and natural disasters.

==History==
NRC is [[politically]] independent and has no [[religious]] affiliation. It is the only Norwegian organisation that specialises in international efforts to provide assistance, [[Humanitarian protection|protection]] and durable solutions for people affected by displacement. NRC employs approximately 16,500 staff members and incentive workers in 40 countries throughout [[Africa]], [[Asia]], [[South America]], [[Europe]] and the [[Middle East]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Where we work |url=https://www.nrc.no/where-we-work/ |access-date=2024-03-12 |website=NRC |language=en}}</ref> The NRC headquarters is located in [[Oslo]] and has about 280 employees. Additionally the organisation has a presence in [[Brussels]], [[Geneva]], [[Washington, D.C.]], [[Berlin]], [[London]] and [[Addis Ababa]].

NRC was established in 1946 under the name "Europahjelpen" ("Aid to Europe"), to assist refugees in [[Europe]] after [[World War II]]. In 1953, the organisation changed to its current name, Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC). Today NRC is organised as an independent, private foundation.

NRC's primary focus is the provision of [[humanitarian aid]] during the emergency stage of a conflict or [[natural disaster]]. It pursues a holistic, rights-based approach that includes emergency relief and early recovery while promoting resilience and sustainable solutions for displacement. {{citation needed|date=January 2021}}

[[Jan Egeland]] took up the position as Secretary General in August 2013, replacing Elisabeth Rasmusson who was appointed to the position of Assistant Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP).

== Core activities ==
''Shelter and settlements'': Emergency shelter, housing, schools and establishment of other forms of public infrastructure.

''Livelihoods and food Security'': Providing food assistance to prevent loss of life and to contribute to the rehabilitation of local food and market systems. Promoting livelihood strategies that protect, recover and strengthen individuals' and households' abilities to earn a living.

''Information, counselling and legal assistance (ICLA)'': Enabling people affected by displacement to claim and exercise their rights and to find lasting solutions. Focus areas include housing, land and property rights, legal documentation, statelessness and refugee status procedures.

''Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH)'': Providing access to, and promotion of, clean water and appropriate sanitation facilities.

''Education'': Education programmes targeted towards children and youth.

''Protection from violence'': Help to ensure displaced people and communities are protected, by preventing and responding to violence, coercion, and actions taken by others to deny them their rights.

== Agencies ==
In 1998 NRC established the [[Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre]] in [[Geneva]]. The IDMC contributes to improving national and international capacities to assist people around the globe who have been displaced. IDMC also develops statistics and analysis on internal displacement, including analysis commissioned for use by the United Nations.

[[NORCAP]] is a standby roster operated by NRC and funded by the [[Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs]] which consists of 650 men and women from [[Norway]], [[Africa]], [[Asia]], [[Middle East]] and [[Latin America]]. Since its establishment in 1991, NORCAP's experts have been sent on more than 7000 missions worldwide.

== Publications ==
Perspective<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nrc.no/?aid=9555102|title=Support people forced to flee|website=www.nrc.no|accessdate=May 30, 2023}}</ref>
NRC previously published the magazine "Perspective" four times a year. The magazine focused on the humanitarian dimensions of international politics. The magazine was on sale in more than 15 countries.

==Awards and recognition==
The [[Nansen Refugee Award]] is an international award that is yearly given by the [[UN]] High Commissioner for Refugees ([[UNHCR]]) to a person or group for outstanding work on behalf of the forcibly displaced. Since 2009 NRC has been working with the UNCHR for organising and carrying out the ceremony. The award consists of a commemorative medal and a US$100,000 monetary prize donated by the governments of [[Norway]] and [[Switzerland]].

In 2022, the Norwegian Refugee Council received the Hilton Humanitarian Prize from the [[Conrad N. Hilton Foundation]], the world's largest annual humanitarian award, with a value of US$2.5 million.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2022 Hilton Humanitarian Symposium and Prize Ceremony Honoring Norwegian Refugee Council |url=https://www.hiltonfoundation.org/news/prize-events/2022-hilton-humanitarian-symposium-and-prize-ceremony/ |access-date=2023-10-17 |website=Hilton Foundation |language=en-US}}</ref>

== 2012 kidnapping incident==
In July 2012, two vehicles carrying a high-level Norwegian Refugee Council delegation were ambushed outside of a [[Dadaab]] camp. A driver was killed and four international staff were abducted, including [[Steve Dennis (humanitarian)|Steve Dennis]]. According to the Norwegian Refugee Council spokesman a risk analysis had been carried out before movements through Dadaab and it was declared safe for travel. A Kenyan police commander said that a security escort had been arranged to accompany the delegation but the group declined.<ref>[[Associated Press]]: [https://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/01/world/africa/kenya-pursues-somali-kidnappers-from-refugee-camp.html?_r=0 Kenya Pursues Somali Kidnappers From Refugee Camp] ''[[New York Times]]'', 30 June 2012</ref> In the aftermath of the kidnapping incident, [[Steve Dennis (humanitarian)|Steve Dennis]] filed a lawsuit against the Norwegian Refugee Council, accusing it of gross negligence and failing to provide adequate support for the post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and gunshot wounds he suffered during the ordeal. In 2015, the Oslo District Court ruled in favour of Dennis, finding the Norwegian Refugee Council guilty of gross negligence and breach of duty of care. The court recognised the physical and psychological injuries sustained by Dennis and awarded compensation for gross negligence, amounting to 4.4 million Norwegian kroner (approximately £350,000).<ref>{{Cite news |last=Young |first=Holly |date=2015-12-05 |title=Steve Dennis and the court case that sent waves through the aid industry |url=https://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2015/dec/05/steve-dennis-court-case-waves-aid-industry |access-date=2024-03-12 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commonscatinline}}
*{{Official|http://www.nrc.no}} {{in lang|en}}
*[http://www.internal-displacement.org Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC)]
*[http://www.norcapweb.no NORCAP]
*[http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/nansen The Nansen Refugee Award]

{{Humanitarian Aid}}
{{Humanitarian partners of the European Commission}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Development charities based in Norway]]
[[Category:Foundations based in Norway]]
[[Category:Human rights organisations based in Norway]]
[[Category:Organisations based in Oslo]]
[[Category:Organizations established in 1946]]
[[Category:Refugee aid organizations in Europe]]
[[Category:1946 establishments in Norway]]

Norwegian Refugee Council - Revision history

imported>Opolito: Incorrect sourcing and not neutral language