Refugee Agency Joins Forces With Norwegian Group

UN Refugee Agency Joins Forces With Norwegian Humanitarian Group

New York, May 30 2006 6:00PM

The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and a prominent Norwegian humanitarian group will make joint efforts to protect displaced people worldwide, according to an agreement signed between the two organizations working for the protection of refugees.

Under the agreement, the UNHCR and the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), a non-governmental organization (NGO) will pursue further strategic partnership at the global level as well as in specific operations, with emphasis in closer cooptation in the field to protect and assist internally displaced people (IDPs).

“NRC’s systematic approach to working with IDPs globally makes them an essential partner for UNHCR,” said High Commissioner António Guterres after signing the agreement Monday, adding that similar alliances with other organizations are also in the offing.

“This agreement will further enhance the close cooperation between our two agencies,” added NRC Secretary-General Thomas Colin Archer.

The two agencies are now due to cooperate in many countries, including Colombia, Uganda and Sudan. In Liberia, UNHCR and NRC are already making joint efforts in monitoring the situation of returning IDPs and refugees.

ENDS

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