Norsk Folkehjelp dispute with United States aid conditions

Norsk Folkehjelp has announced it will reject new aid conditions imposed by the United States Department of State, leading to a significant loss of funding and personnel. The organization faces an annual income reduction of 400 million NOK and the loss of approximately 1,700 global employees.

The dispute stems from U.S. requirements that humanitarian partners cease work related to diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI), and abortion across all their activities, regardless of whether the specific projects are funded by the U.S. or other donors. Secretary General Raymond Johansen stated that the organization refuses to trade its values for money, asserting, “We do not trade values for money.”

As a result of this decision, Norsk Folkehjelp is phasing out its cooperation with the U.S. in the field of mine and explosive clearance. While the U.S. previously provided 40 percent of the funding for these operations, the organization expects to continue 60 percent of its mine clearance work. In Norway, between 40 and 50 employees may lose their jobs. Some Norwegian politicians have called on the public to help fill the funding gap through private donations.