Norway has decided to allocate NOK 200 million (20 million euros) in funding to help the Ukrainian government to continue to provide critical services, Report informs referring to the Norwegian government’s website.
The funding will be used to pay salaries for health care personnel, teachers and public sector employees, as well as pensions and social benefits.
“Russia’s attack on Ukraine is having a dramatic impact on the Ukrainian economy. Norway will now use NOK 200 million of the support we have set aside for this conflict to provide direct help to the Ukrainian authorities. These funds will be of great benefit,” said Minister of Foreign Affairs Anniken Huitfeldt.
The funds will be channeled through the World Bank emergency financing package for Ukraine. In early March the IMF estimated that Ukraine’s GDP could fall by 10-35 % this year as a result of the war. Norway has set aside NOK 2 billion for humanitarian efforts and aid to refugees in connection with the Ukraine crisis. Roughly half of this amount has been disbursed so far.