In its revised national budget, the Norwegian government has proposed increased funding to Haiti, with a view to support the reconstruction process and to help the country become more robust and stable.(Photo: Minister of International Development Erik Solheim)
“We are increasing our support for reconstruction after natural disasters by NOK 50 million. Some of these funds will be allocated to environmental, afforestation, agriculture and energy projects in Haiti. We are also increasing our funding to Haiti through international organisations,” Minister of the Environment and International Development Erik Solheim commented.
Altogether, Norway has pledged NOK 800 million in aid to Haiti for the period up to 2014.
In addition, the Government is increasing its humanitarian assistance by NOK 142 million under this year’s budget.
“We know from experience that new natural disasters will hit the Horn of Africa, Asia and Latin America in the course of the year. So it’s important to set aside funds for dealing with acute crises,” Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said.
The Government is also proposing to increase its funding for clean energy by NOK 88 million. These funds will help to promote hydroelectric power, solar power and wind power projects, for instance through increased public–private cooperation on investments in clean energy.
The additional aid is to be financed by redistributions in the aid budget, in connection with reduced expenses for refugees in Norway.
