RASC News Agency: The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) has announced an unprecedented suspension of its humanitarian operations across nearly 20 countries the first such disruption in its history. This drastic measure follows the cessation, partial suspension, or non-reimbursement of funding by the United States, directly affecting the lives of hundreds of thousands. In a statement issued on Monday, the NRC confirmed that in Afghanistan, it has been forced to lay off a significant number of humanitarian workers, including its own staff. This crisis unfolds as countless vulnerable families in Afghanistan continue to grapple with the aftermath of the 2021 political upheaval and the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO forces. The NRC underscored that in its 79 years of operation, it has never before encountered such a sudden and severe financial disruption from any government, intergovernmental entity, or donor organization.
The council has further warned that without an immediate resolution, it may be compelled to shut down all U.S.-funded humanitarian programs by the end of February 2025. Despite this looming threat, the NRC has urged the United States to ensure the continuity of humanitarian aid while reassessing its foreign assistance policies. Raising broader concerns, the NRC cautioned that the drastic reduction in personnel and the diminished operational capacity of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) could place both current and future humanitarian initiatives at serious risk. As the world’s largest donor, the United States, alongside Norway, remains one of the NRC’s most critical financial supporters.
Expressing cautious optimism, the NRC reiterated its expectation that the United States will continue to uphold its commitment to aiding millions of vulnerable individuals worldwide. In 2024 alone, NRC programs funded by the U.S. provided life-saving assistance to 1.6 million people. Beyond the U.S., key financial contributors to the NRC include Norway, the European Union, Sweden, and Germany. According to NRC data, less than 20% of its 2024 budget approximately $150 million has been sourced from U.S. funding.
