Norsk Folkehjelp
Encyclopedia
Norwegian People's Aid 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".
The current Secretary General is Liv Tørres.
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.
, 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
.
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.
(SPLA) with 80–100 tonnes of weapons and landmines.
referred to allegations by unnamed groups that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam
(LTTE) had "used" the NPA for "terrorist activities". The Ministry of Defence also expressed concern about an incident in which several NPA vehicles were stolen by the LTTE.
Non-governmental organization
A non-governmental organization is a legally constituted organization created by natural or legal persons that operates independently from any government. The term originated from the United Nations , and is normally used to refer to organizations that do not form part of the government and are...
, 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".
The current Secretary General is Liv Tørres.
NPA is a membership-governed organisation with approximately 12,000 members organised in local groups across Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
. 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.
History
Norwegian People’s Aid was founded on 7 December 1939. After the Spanish civil war Karl EvangKarl Evang
Karl Evang was a Norwegian physician and civil servant.He was born in Kristiania as a son of assisting secretary Jens Ingolf Evang and Anna Beate Wexelsen . He was a brother of Vilhelm Evang, and a relative of Vilhelm Andreas Wexelsen, Per Kvist and Gunnar Jahn. He met physician Gerda S...
, 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
Norwegian Red Cross
The Norwegian Red Cross was founded September 22, 1865 by prime minister Frederik Stang. In 1907 the Norwegian Ministry of Defence authorized the organization for voluntary medical aid in war...
. The organization was set to be founded in February 1940, but when the Winter War
Winter War
The Winter War was a military conflict between the Soviet Union and Finland. It began with a Soviet offensive on 30 November 1939 – three months after the start of World War II and the Soviet invasion of Poland – and ended on 13 March 1940 with the Moscow Peace Treaty...
in Finland broke out in November 1939 the inauguration was brought forward to 7 December 1939. The first chairman was Albert Raaen
Albert Raaen
Albert Bernhard Raaen was a Norwegian trade unionist and politician for the Labour Party.He took non-commissioned officer training in 1908, commerce school in 1910 and an evening school for socialists in 1913–1914...
.
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
International Campaign to Ban Landmines
The International Campaign to Ban Landmines is a coalition of non-governmental organizations working for a world free of anti-personnel landmines and cluster munitions, where mine and cluster munitions survivors see their rights respected and can lead fulfilling lives.The coalition was formed in...
and the Convention on Cluster Munitions
Convention on Cluster Munitions
The Convention on Cluster Munitions is an international treaty that prohibits the use, transfer and stockpile of cluster bombs, a type of explosive weapon which scatters submunitions over an area. The convention was adopted on 2008 in Dublin, and was opened for signature on 2008 in Oslo...
which was signed in Oslo in 2008.
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 ArmySudan People's Liberation Army
The Sudan People's Liberation Movement is a political party in South Sudan. It was initially founded as a rebel political movement with a military wing known as the Sudan People's Liberation Army estimated at 180,000 soldiers. The SPLM fought in the Second Sudanese Civil War against the Sudanese...
(SPLA) with 80–100 tonnes of weapons and landmines.
Sri Lanka
The Sri Lankan Ministry of DefenceMinistry of Defence (Sri Lanka)
The Ministry of Defence, Public Security, Law & Order is the Sri Lankan government ministry responsible for implementation of government defence policy and the headquarters of the Sri Lankan Armed Forces....
referred to allegations by unnamed groups that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam was a separatist militant organization formerly based in northern Sri Lanka. Founded in May 1976 by Vellupillai Prabhakaran, it waged a violent secessionist and nationalist campaign to create an independent state in the north and east of Sri Lanka for Tamil...
(LTTE) had "used" the NPA for "terrorist activities". The Ministry of Defence also expressed concern about an incident in which several NPA vehicles were stolen by the LTTE.