Norway, one of the world’s largest humanitarian donors, has launched a new strategy for humanitarian aid in conflict zones. Médecins Sans Frontières criticises the approach for being unclear on the issue of humanitarian space.

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Finland updates guidelines to avoid using aid to fund missionary work

The Finnish Foreign Ministry has been warned three times in the last four years about the need for clearer rules on how faith-based organisations separate development and missionary work. (See DT 12/08) The Ministry insists it has “always had clear instructions". But it is now planning to update its guidelines.

Ten months before Sweden takes over the EU Presidency , the government has presented a comprehensive climate package for actions at home and in developing countries.

The UN emergency relief agency OCHA has discovered USD 13 million in unused funds following a six-month scrutiny of old accounts going back to the early 1990s. Norway demands the refund of USD 1.1 million, and Sweden is considering to do the same.

Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg of Norway has committed up to USD 1 billion in aid funds over the next eight years to Brazil to support efforts to reduce deforestation in the Amazon region.

Press aid

The Norwegian business daily Dagens Næringsliv reports that Environment and Development Minister Erik Solheim has used NOK 800,000 in the last three years on travel grants for journalists to cover Third World issues, often including the Minister’s own trips abroad. “Solheim buys coverage", the article is entitled.

IFAD is in the midst of a comprehensive reform process. President Lennart Båge is heading this transformation from an “authoritarian, hierarchical" agency to one where competence and professionalism are rewarded.

Historic name change for MS in Denmark

Following a vote by its annual General Assembly, the Danish development organisation MS moves one step closer to joining ActionAid International.

Norway fails to clarify neutrality of humanitarians

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