Norwegian People's Aid

04/06/2026

This week, NPA, together with the Lao PDR Presidency of the CCM 3 Review Conference, Cameroon and the International Committee of the Red Cross, is co-hosting a regional workshop on universalisation of The Convention on Cluster Munitions for African states in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The workshop brings together governments and key stakeholders from across the continent to discuss how to strengthen adherence to the Convention and encourage the remaining African signatories to complete ratification.

With eight African states affected by cluster munition contamination, universalisation remains a vital tool for preventing future harm, supporting clearance efforts, and strengthening the global norm against these indiscriminate weapons.

NPA will continue to inform these important discussions and remains committed to supporting states in joining and implementing the Convention.

Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) today joined governments, international organisations, and civil society representatives from across Africa at a regional…

28/05/2026

Cluster munitions have devastating humanitarian consequences for civilians long after conflicts end.

NPA is deeply concerned by reports of alleged cluster munition use in Mali and calls for an independent investigation and full transparency.

Cluster Munition Coalition Presidency of the CCM 3 Review Conference

Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) is deeply concerned by the reports of cluster munitions use in northern Mali.

27/05/2026

Norwegian People's Aid's office in Sumy, in northeastern Ukraine, suffered damage from a Russian attack early Tuesday morning. Although there was no direct attack, Russian drones landed near the office and damaged several vehicles.

"Fortunately, no one was injured, but there has been extensive damage to vehicles and other equipment," says Secretary General Raymond Johansen. "This shows that Russia is not paying attention – whether the targets are civilians or involve the important work of protecting civilian lives," Johansen continues.

Norwegian People's Aid is clear that humanitarian work should not be a target and must not be normalised. Norwegian People's Aid is now working to fully resume operations and continue life-saving activities across Ukraine.

Norwegian People's Aid has over 400 employees in Ukraine. In addition Mine Action and disarmament activities, we implement projects in food security and livelihoods, protection, SGBV and Conflict Preparedness and Protection (CPP).

Photo: André Kjærnsli

11/05/2026

Lebanon is under invasion.
They still chose to join the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention.

While Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Finland have recently withdrawn from the treaty out of fear of Russia, Lebanon is going the other way.

Norwegian People's Aid has cleared mines in Lebanon for over 20 years. We have seen first-hand what these deadly traps do to people. Families who cannot return home. Children who cannot play outside. Farmers who cannot use their land. Mines block humanitarian aid. And they kill and mutilate civilians for years after the war ends.

Anti-personnel mines do not stop an invasion. They create fear and devastate civilian lives.

Lebanon's message is clear. The protection of civilians has no exceptions.

War is not an exception to the rules. It is the reason they exist.

29/04/2026

We call it the world’s largest humanitarian catastrophe. Yet it remains one of the most forgotten crises in the world.

The war in Sudan has lasted for over three years.
The state has collapsed. Humanitarian access is blocked.
Millions displaced and in urgent need of aid.

Yet Sudan refuses to give up. Neighbors, women’s groups and young people
organizing food, evacuations and healthcare – under extreme risk.

They don’t give up on each other.

In Sudan, they call it nafeer – a tradition of spontaneous, community-driven solidarity.
People showing up for people.

That’s what Mohamed does. Using music to fight back against war and division.
Reminding people that they are one people.

Because when crisis strikes, it is civil society that carries hope.

Share this if you believe in standing up for those the world has forgotten.

27/04/2026

Eatzaz Bakri was forced to flee the war in Sudan – but never stopped her work.

From exile in Kampala, she leads a feminist organization reaching women in refugee camps with support, training, and dignity.

This is what civil society resilience looks like in the world's largest humanitarian crisis.

Read her story. Link in the comments.

15/04/2026

Today, Sudan enters its fourth year of war. The world’s largest humanitarian crisis has forced more than 14 million people to flee.

It is local activists, organizations, and volunteers who are keeping people alive under extreme conditions. They negotiate access to food and healthcare, establish safe evacuation routes, and mediate in conflicts.

Many have been forced to flee their country, but continue their fight from exile.
Tahani Abbas Ali is a lawyer who had to flee the war with her children in her arms. From exile in Nairobi, she is fighting against abuse and war crimes, and for women’s place at the negotiating table.

Read her story here. Link in the comments.

04/04/2026

4 April is the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action.

This year, it is more than a commemoration. It is about defending what is at stake.

Anti-personnel mines are once again being used in countries such as Syria, Myanmar and Ukraine. At the same time, we are seeing a worrying development in Europe. Countries like Poland, Estonia, Finland, Latvia and Lithuania have announced that they intend to withdraw from the Mine Ban Convention and reopen the door to reintroducing landmines.

This is the reality today:
🔴 Nine out of ten people killed or injured by mines in 2024 were civilians
🔴 Almost half of them were children

An anti-personnel mine does not distinguish between a child’s feet and a soldier’s boots. When the war is over, it remains in the ground, waiting for someone to step on it. For the children walking to school. For the farmer returning to the fields.

In Ukraine, it will take decades before mine‑affected areas are safe again. This is not a hypothetical scenario, but daily life for millions of people.

Norway has been a driving force behind the Mine Ban Convention. That responsibility still stands – especially now.

Anti-personnel mines were banned for a reason. These horrific weapons have no place in today’s society. We must stand up for the conventions that protect civilians.

30/03/2026

Did you know that more than 100 signals must often be investigated to find a single landmine?

One of the biggest challenges in mine clearance today is efficiency. Traditional metal detectors produce a large number of false signals. In many areas, deminers must investigate more than 100 signals to find a single landmine, slowing down the process of making land safe again.

That is why NPA is partnering with MRead Limited to develop a new generation of detection technology.

Instead of detecting metal, the system being developed will identify the actual explosive content inside a landmine using magnetic resonance. This has the potential to dramatically reduce false signals and make mine clearance faster, safer and more effective.

The goal is to clear more landmines more quickly and return land to communities sooner.

This partnership would not be possible without the support from Innovasjon Norge's Humanitarian Innovation Programme. Innovation like this has the potential to change how humanitarian mine action is done, and ultimately help save lives.

New detection technology under development could significantly improve the efficiency of humanitarian mine clearance. By detecting the explosive content…

26/03/2026

🚨 New report out now: Nuclear Weapons Ban Monitor 2026

The world is divided in two when it comes to nuclear weapons.

✅ A growing majority of the world's countries say NO to nuclear weapons – and see them for what they are: an enormous threat to our collective security.
❌ A minority, including Norway, still view these weapons of mass destruction as a security tool.

💬 What do you think makes us safer in the turbulent times we are living in right now? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!