Norway is increasing its support for Ukrainian children deported to Russia as detained civilians and prisoners of war through UNICEF and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
The Nordic country announced on Tuesday that it will channel more funds through UNICEF and the International Committee of the Red Cross to help trace missing children and support those who have returned home.
Fifteen million Norwegian crowns, about one point six million dollars, has been earmarked for UNICEF’s work on rehabilitation and reintegration of returned children.
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Another ten million crowns will go to the ICRC’s Central Tracing Agency to help trace missing persons and assist detained civilians and prisoners of war.
Norway’s Foreign Minister, Espen Barth Eide, says the move is aimed at drawing attention to human rights violations committed by Russia, noting that many Ukrainian children remain in Russia after unlawful deportation.
The announcement comes ahead of a ministerial conference on the issue, which Canada is hosting this week in Toronto, co-hosted by Norway and Ukraine.
Reuters
