A prominent Norwegian aid organization specializing in demining operations has announced plans to lay off 1,700 employees across 12 countries due to the recent decision by the US to freeze foreign aid payments.
This marks the second significant Norwegian charity to reduce its operations within just two days as a result of US President Donald Trump’s directive.
Yesterday, the Norwegian Refugee Council revealed it was halting humanitarian efforts in nearly 20 countries.
Norsk Folkehjelp issued a statement this afternoon indicating that approximately $41 million, which constitutes 40% of its funding for mine clearance and other explosive removal efforts, has been lost.
“The freeze on support for mine and explosive ordnance disposal not only hampers current operations. It poses a risk of delaying and, in the worst-case scenario, reversing the tremendous progress achieved globally, spearheaded by the United States, in combating these destructive weapons,” stated Raymond Johansen, the secretary general of Norsk Folkehjelp, in the release.
President Trump has signed a series of executive orders aimed at cutting federal expenditure, including the closure of the US Agency for International Development (USAID).
On Sunday, he remarked that there are “hundreds of millions of dollars going to places where they should not be sent.”
Norsk Folkehjelp had a workforce of around 3,200 and operated in 21 countries, but had already suspended some operations in January when new US Secretary of State Marco Rubio instituted a freeze on all US aid, with exceptions for Israel and Egypt.
“The greatest burden will fall on children, farmers, and local communities affected by landmines worldwide,” Mr. Johansen added.
The organization reports nearly 7,000 casualties from landmines and cluster munitions globally in 2023, according to information available on their website.
