- Norwegian People's Aid
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Norwegian People's Aid . Founded 1939 Location Oslo, Norway Key people Liv Tørres, General-Secretary Members 12 000 Motto Solidarity in Action Website NPA: npaid.org Norwegian People's Aid (Norwegian: Norsk Folkehjelp) is a non-governmental organization, founded in 1939 as the Norwegian Labour Movement's humanitarian organisation for solidarity.
NPA’s vision is: Solidarity in Action. The organization focuses its work around two main areas: “Fair distribution of power and recourses”; and “Protection of life and health”.
It describes its four fundamental pillars as "the fight against oppression, poverty and unjust distribution", "the fight against racism and discrimination", "work for equality and against violence and injustice" and "prevention, voluntary engagement and competence-building".[citation needed]
The current Secretary General is Liv Tørres.
Liv Tørres Secretary General of NPA
NPA is a membership-governed organisation with approximately 12,000 members organised in local groups across Norway. First aid, mountain rescue and disaster preparedness are central tasks for the voluntary groups. Other areas are the management of refugee reception centres and volunteer centres, anti-racist activities and work for the elderly and disabled.
Internationally, NPA is engaged in more than 30 countries. Local foundation is the key to sustainable projects and that is why NPA always work through local partners and local authorities. NPA is one of the world’s foremost organisations in humanitarian mine clearance and works actively in Norway and internationally to obtain a ban on landmines. NPA is also involved in international projects promoting democratization; the rights of indigenous people, equality; and fair distribution of land and resources.[1]
Contents
History
Norwegian People’s Aid was founded on 7 December 1939. After the Spanish civil war Karl Evang, on behalf of the Norwegian Support Committee for Spain, initiated a health organization to promote health related work in Norway, that could step in when people in Norway or abroad were in need. It was also meant as a workers' alternative to the Norwegian Red Cross. The organization was set to be founded in February 1940, but when the Winter War in Finland broke out in November 1939 the inauguration was brought forward to 7 December 1939. The first chairman was Albert Raaen.[1]
Throughout history the organisation has been involved in a range of projects and initiatives. Some of the activities include: Vacation for tired housewives, which started in the early 1960s and saw housewives and children on two week rehabilitation holidays; Campaign for more public saunas, which started in the 1940s and was part of the organisation’s quest for better health and hygiene among the Norwegian population; The Human Library, which was launched in the 00s and allow people to meet an immigrant, an HIV-positive, gay, or blind person, or someone with an eating disorder, in an attempt to break down prejudice.
Other more conventional projects NPA has been involved in include: First aid and rescue work to Norwegian people during the Second World War; Aid to other European countries after the war; Awareness and prevention campaign for drowning; Rehabilitation home for people with epilepsy; Support to the ANC during Apartheid; and promotion of democracy and fair distribution of wealth and resources. The organisation is also heavily involved in the save removal of land mines and other explosives. It has played a central role in the International Campaign to Ban Landmines and the Convention on Cluster Munitions which was signed in Oslo in 2008.
Criticism of the NPA
Sudan
In March 2000, the European-Sudanese Public Affairs Council, led by David Hoile, referred to a November 1999 television documentary that alleged that NPA-controlled aeroplanes had supplied the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) with 80–100 tonnes of weapons and landmines.[2]
Sri Lanka
The Sri Lankan Ministry of Defence referred to allegations by unnamed groups that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) had "used" the NPA for "terrorist activities".[3] The Ministry of Defence also expressed concern about an incident in which several NPA vehicles were stolen by the LTTE.[4]
References
- ^ Pryser, Tore (1988) (in Norwegian). Klassen og nasjonen 1935-1946. Volume four of Arbeiderbevegelsens historie i Norge. Oslo: Tiden. pp. 213–214. ISBN 82-10-02754-9.
- ^ "Perpetuating Conflict and Sustaining Repression: Norwegian People's Aid and the Militarisation of Aid in Sudan". 2000-03. Archived from the original on 2009-01-10. http://www.webcitation.org/5djbifrpl. Retrieved 2009-01-11.
- ^ Jayawardhana, Walter (2008-07-28). "Norwegian NGO used by LTTE, also delivered arms to an insurgency in Sudan". Ministry of Defence (Sri Lanka). Archived from the original on 2009-01-10. http://www.webcitation.org/5djdeGz8z. Retrieved 2009-01-11.
- ^ "NPA says LTTE robbed its vehicles and ensures every effort to secure their return". Ministry of Defence (Sri Lanka). 2008-07-29. Archived from the original on 2009-01-10. http://www.webcitation.org/5djdeyZSX. Retrieved 2009-01-11.
External links
Categories:- Organisations based in Norway
- Mine warfare and mine clearance organizations
- Non-governmental organizations
- Norwegian organisation stubs
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