Rights respected, people protected
Founded in 1946, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) works to protect the rights of people who are displaced by violence and find themselves in extreme vulnerability during crisis. NRC assists civilians in armed conflict, prioritizing neglected and hard-to-reach areas where access to assistance is limited, and increasingly supports people displaced by natural disasters, the adverse effects of climate change and other forms of violence. NRC operates in more than 35 countries around the world facing both new and protracted humanitarian crises and specializes in six areas: livelihoods and food security; education; shelter and settlements; information, counselling, and legal assistance; protection from violence; and water, sanitation, and hygiene.
Bearing witness locally, advocating globally
NRC’s work is driven by the needs of displaced people. The organization actively seeks to understand the challenges people affected by displacement face, the systems that influence their situation, and what solutions would address their challenges and improve their lives. NRC partners with international, national and local actors to maximize collective impact, ensure effective coordination and engage in advocacy efforts.
As a principled organization that stands up for the rights of displaced people, NRC advocates for access to aid and protection, and for the removal of barriers to self-reliance and durable solutions. Approximately 16,000 humanitarians work with NRC: most are hired locally in the conflict and displacement affected areas where NRC works, including people who are themselves displaced.
NRC’s work illustrates how an international humanitarian organization can both leverage its position to advocate on behalf of – and provide large-scale support to – refugees and displaced people around the world. More than 100 million people have now been forced to flee their homes – in 2021, NRC assisted nearly 10 million people globally.
