Iceland has doubled its contribution
Refugees from Ukraine waiting at the train terminal in Lviv to get on a train to Poland. AFP
Last year, Iceland doubled its funding to UNHCR, the United Nations’ refugee agency. The agency highly praises Iceland’s commitment to assisting and protecting refugees worldwide, with increased funding by Iceland in 2022.
“With more than 100 million people forced from their homes throughout the world by war, violence, persecution and human rights violations, there is a great need for humanitarian and protective aid. We rely on the support of donor countries and in this respect Iceland deserves recognition for its rapid response to international situations by increasing its funding,” Henrik M. Nordentoft, UNHCR representative for the Nordic and Baltic countries, stated.
Close to 600 million
Last year, Iceland made its largest financial contribution ever to the work of the UN’s refugee agency worldwide, totaling 4.2 million US dollars, which is the equivalent of almost ISK 600 million, a 120 percent increase from the previous year.
Of the contribution, Iceland contributed almost US $ 1.5 million as so-called un earmarked funding, which is three times the previous year’s total.
“Such funding is vital and enables the UNHCR to respond to emergencies that are evolving rapidly, such as was the case in Ukraine last year, for example, as well as to provide protection and life-saving assistance in chronic and often forgotten crises around the world,” the announcement reads.
“Thanks to these funds, we can assist refugees not only in finding security, but also in rebuilding their lives by ensuring access to health care, education and livelihoods. As a small country, Iceland’s international participation in refugee protection is a source of inspiration to others,” Nordentoft stated in the announcement. “We hope that Iceland will continue this important project and apply the same strong commitment to the protection of refugees at home.”
