Government to assume responsibility for mine action in South Sudan
The Government of South Sudan has developed a five year strategic plan to address problems posed by all kind of explosive remnants of war, land mines, explosive ordinance and cluster bombs.
Read more about Government to assume responsibility for mine action in South SudanState Minister Hails NPA’s agriculture work
State minister for Agriculture and Forestry in South Sudan, Mayen Ngor Atem, has praised the work of the Norwegian People’s Aid in the agriculture sector in Jonglei state.
Read more about State Minister Hails NPA’s agriculture workNPA removes its first landmine in DR Congo
Norwegian People's Aid has started mine clearance in DR Congo. The NPA team found their first landmine already during the first week of operations
Read more about NPA removes its first landmine in DR CongoPupils dance away their frustration
Pupils in Jabalia used to carry pocket knives to school. Now they are performing plays and dancing Palestinian Dabka, after participating in a Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) supported project .
Read more about Pupils dance away their frustrationCommunity organisation in El Salvador
“We are all survivors. Some fled to the refugee camps in Honduras, others hid in the mountains”, Felipe Tobar Arce, a founding member of CCR, points towards the mountains and the border. “That’s where our resistance groups were born. That’s where we learnt to organise ourselves. Being organised gives us strength”.
Read more about Community organisation in El SalvadorPopular education and community work in Havana
“I was brought up with the traditional, vertical vision of knowledge where the wise teacher deposits knowledge in ignorant students. My work showed me that this vision was inadequate. When I began in the Transformation Workshop, another horizon opened up for me. It has been an on-going learning process.”
Read more about Popular education and community work in HavanaNorway builds centre for women in South Sudan
Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) Saturday handed over the newly built Women centre in Bor town to the Jonglei state women Association.
Read more about Norway builds centre for women in South SudanPalestinian fishermen share their frustration
“We don’t need money, we need to be allowed to fish freely in the sea as agreed in Oslo accord,” a fisherman told Liv Tørres, Secretary General of Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) when she visited Gaza last week.
Read more about Palestinian fishermen share their frustrationTraining indigenous people in Indigenous Rights
Arelis Uriana does not hesitate: “EFIN’s most important contribution has been to strengthen indigenous women’s participation. Now women have their organizational and political space locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. Women have created that space. To gain acknowledgement and respect for indigenous women has been a tough and demanding process. I know; I was part of it.”
Read more about Training indigenous people in Indigenous RightsTogether to combat violence against Women
NPA Iraq convened its one day conference "Together to combat violence against Women"in Suleimanyah, Iraq, on 27th November 2011. Women activists, representatives of civil society organizations, intellectuals, media, university professors and government officials were among the 106 attendees.
Read more about Together to combat violence against WomenUrged to advocate land rights
Activist Wani Mathias Jumi called on civil society groups in South Sudan to advocate and lobby for their rights.
Read more about Urged to advocate land rightsGuinea-Bissau is free of landmines
Guinea-Bissau has been declared free of land mines with assistance from Norwegian People's Aid (NPA).
Read more about Guinea-Bissau is free of landminesFarmers accesses their land again
Gaza farmer Ashraf Helles accessed his land and planted wheat for the first time in 15 years.
Read more about Farmers accesses their land againCritical between Sudan and South Sudan
“The situation is now precarious. The conflict over oil revenues and Abyei's affiliation must be resolved,” says Norwegian People's Aid Secretary General, Liv Tørres. “If the crisis escalates, it will have severe consequences for both Sudan and South Sudan.”
Read more about Critical between Sudan and South SudanNPA clears 5 million square meters since start of its clearance operations in South Lebanon
Norwegian People's Aid (NPA) crossed an important milestone last week, clearing and returning back for safe use to local population 5 million square meters of land previously contaminated by cluster munitions and finding and destroying more than 4.600 cluster submunitions in the process.
Read more about NPA clears 5 million square meters since start of its clearance operations in South LebanonFinland becomes 159th country to join global landmine ban
Finland has become the latest nation to join the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty, which comprehensively bans the use, production, trade, and stockpiling of antipersonnel landmines. That means that one million more mines will be destroyed
Read more about Finland becomes 159th country to join global landmine banCommunities mobilise against restricting bill
Activists from across Cambodia last month unrolled thumbprints from 10,000 fellow citizens on the streets of Phnom Penh demanding that new laws restricting their rights and freedom are stopped.
Read more about Communities mobilise against restricting billIncreased use of NPA Search and Rescue Volunteers
NPA’s Search and Rescue Volunteers participated in 32 percent more rescue operations in 2011 than the year before.
Read more about Increased use of NPA Search and Rescue VolunteersNPA clearance operations in Mauritania commenced 29 October
In 2011 NPA established a MOU with national authorities for mine action in Mauritania. Full accreditation was granted 27 October along with a tasking order to conduct survey and clearance operations in the Bir Mogrein area, far north in the country. Clearance operations with two deminer teams commenced 29 October.
Read more about NPA clearance operations in Mauritania commenced 29 OctoberRecord number of Palestinians displaced by demolitions as Quartet continues to talk
Humanitarian organisations and human rights groups, including Norwegian People's Aid (NPA), raise alarm about accelerating settlement expansion and increased settler violence.
Read more about Record number of Palestinians displaced by demolitions as Quartet continues to talkCommunity sensitization on Land rights in south Sudan
“Unregulated large-scale land acquisition in south Sudan by foreign companies threatens the rights of the people, with an area bigger than Rwanda earmarked for use by outside businesses", a baseline survey of large-scale land-based investment in South Sudan report released in March 2011 warned.
Read more about Community sensitization on Land rights in south SudanCelebrated 25 years of solidarity
In 1986 the Norwegian people’s Aid (NPA) started delivering humanitarian aid to the people of south Sudan at a time when they were going through a difficult time with little international aid. NPA celebrated its 25years of operations in south Sudan on Friday 9th December 2011 at Central Pub, Juba.
Read more about Celebrated 25 years of solidarityFemale victims of violence get support
More than 8600 female victims of violence have received assistance and support in the past five years from Norwegian People’s Aid's partner in Gaza, Palestinian Centre for Democracy and Conflict Resolution (PCDCR).
Read more about Female victims of violence get supportExplosive ordnance disposal training to save lives in South Sudan
“Sharing knowledge through training is important in developing solutions to real-life situations. Unexploded ordnance can end up in unique predicaments; although manuals and guidelines exist, they cannot cover the plethora of potential situations. Disposal of ordnance on the ground calls for practical experience and well established operational procedures”, said John Sörbö, NPA Project Manager Capacity for Development in South Sudan Mine Action Authority (SMAA)
Read more about Explosive ordnance disposal training to save lives in South SudanDrought struck nomads get water, non-food-items and toilets
“My cows almost died in the drought and my little girl got very sick. I sold my last two cows for her to get treated. When she recovered we came here,” says Mahamed Arraale Isaq. He lives in a camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Las Anod, in northern Somalia, and is one of the beneficiaries of the Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) drought relief.
Read more about Drought struck nomads get water, non-food-items and toiletsNorway builds training centre for women in Bor
The Government of Norway has, through Norwegian People's Aid, funded the construction of a centre in Bor town for women adult literacy education and leadership training. The Bor Women Centre will also serve as a point for women to network, support each other and discuss issues that affect their rights.
Read more about Norway builds training centre for women in BorUS-led attempt to allow cluster bombs rejected
Over fifty states with Norway in a lead position rejected outright the cynical attempt to give legal cover to use these weapons in the future. The ban is now strengthened.
Read more about US-led attempt to allow cluster bombs rejectedPupil changed her attitude and grades
Ranin Rihan used to be a weak student with several problems. After participating in a project aiming to reduce violence in schools, Ranin’s way of being changed and her grades improved.
Read more about Pupil changed her attitude and gradesHundreds equipped to farm
400 farmers are ready to run their own farms after crops husbandry training by Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) in Pochalla county this year, Samuel Deng, NPA Project Coordinator in Jonglei state, South Sudan, revealed at the official opening of Pochalla Farmers Training Center last week.
Read more about Hundreds equipped to farmHuman right observatory in Honduras
Human rights organizations have joined forces with organizations for poor farmers in Aguán to start a human rights observatory. The purpose is to document systematic human rights violations.
Read more about Human right observatory in HondurasDeminer to inspire women at US star event
Female deminer Lamis Zein (33) will be succeeding names such asJane Fonda, Barbara Walters and Morley on stage at the TEDxWomen conference, where she’s been called to talk about her unconventional choice of work.
Read more about Deminer to inspire women at US star eventWomen farmers rise in Nicaragua
“Is ill-treatment of women something that happens in your own community or just in other communities?” Francis Obid, the facilitator, asks the participants. “In all communities”, the women reply. The women share experiences of neglect, abuse, and violence in their communities. “We have to talk about it, talking about it is liberating”, one woman says.
Read more about Women farmers rise in NicaraguaWater project prevents conflict in South Sudan
“The rain water catchment dam has enabled us to return early from thetoic(traditional cattle watering points along the rivers). This has enabled us to avoid conflict with neighboring communities over water points and saving us time to prepare our fields for cultivation. We hope after the end of rain season the water in the dams will still be enough to sustain the community” - said the cattle camp leader
Read more about Water project prevents conflict in South SudanBuilding advanced competence in Vietnam
The first ever NPA Impact Assessment (IA) workshop took place in Hue, Vietnam between 31st Oct and 2nd Nov 2011. The aim was to provide participants within the South East Asian (SEA) region the knowledge and training on IA Framework and Guidelines in Norwegian People's Aid, in order to support operational planning, decision making and reporting requirements; and to assist with capacity development of others in their respective programmes.
Read more about Building advanced competence in VietnamCombatting forced marriage
Forced marriage is a widespread problem in Iraqi Kurdistan and among Kurds living abroad. A project to combat forced marriages was therefore initiated in 2009, with the support of the Norwegian directorate of Integration and Diversity (IMDi). A new law against forced marriages is one of the results of the project.
Read more about Combatting forced marriageSudanese Deputy Governor hails NPA for good work
The Deputy Governor of Eastern Equatoria state, Nartisio Loluke Manir has commended the Norwegian People’s Aid for supporting the south Sudanese during their struggle for freedom.
Read more about Sudanese Deputy Governor hails NPA for good workThe Violence in Aguán
Due to the conflict over land in Agúan Valley, Honduras, 60 people have been murdered during the past two years; killings carried out by assassins and army operating in the area.
Read more about The Violence in AguánEast Africa Cup won sports "peace price"
East Africa Cup won the prestigeous “Best sports event for peace of the year” award in Monaco this week.
Read more about East Africa Cup won sports "peace price"Improving agriculture seeds
Norwegian peoples Aid (NPA) is working in collaboration with the University of Upper Nile state to improve the quality of local seeds. The project is part of the government’s food crisis response.
Read more about Improving agriculture seedsJournalism training to boost independent media
Fifteen journalists from Jonglei state are undergoing four weeks training in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to enhance the quality and quantity of new reports. The project, funded by Norwegian People’s Aid( NPA), aims to ensure the development of independent media houses in South Sudan.
Read more about Journalism training to boost independent mediaGreat Telethon result
Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) could late Sunday night celebrate the second best Telethon result ever. As the TV show went off air more than 207 million NOK had been counted.
Read more about Great Telethon resultPrince praised demining work
Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) has destroyed 105,000 landmines in Jordan. This week Chairman of the Board Finn Erik Thoresen visited the programme and met with HRH Prince Mired Bin Raad Al-Hussein of Jordan.
Read more about Prince praised demining workClearance for life
Huge efforts are now going in to mine clearance in Guinea Bissau so that the country can meet its deadline and fulfil its obligations under the Mine Convention of becoming mine-free by the end of the year. But two wars and Senegalese rebels have left almost 200 mine and explosives victims behind them. Fertile agricultural land has been lying unused for years while people have striven to find enough food.
Read more about Clearance for lifeCouple defying prejudice and danger
Parents of four Hinda Kteish, aged 31, and Zaid Massaeid, aged 40, clear mines that are putting their community at risk. The pride in their children’s eyes keep them going.
Read more about Couple defying prejudice and dangerNPA destroys 269 mines in South Sudan
246 anti-personnel mines, 23 anti-tank and 36 UXO that had been left by the Sudanese Armed Forces in the stores in Malakal, South Sudan, were destroyed by Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) this week.
Read more about NPA destroys 269 mines in South SudanReducing the threat of cluster munitions in Vietnam
Norwegian People’s Aid has been working to reduce the threat of cluster munitions and unexploded ordnance by employing new cluster munitions survey methodologies in Central Vietnam.
Read more about Reducing the threat of cluster munitions in VietnamAward for fight against corruption
Norwegian People’s Aid’s partner Transparency International Rwanda has been named Rwandan Civil Society Organisation of the year for its anti-corruption work in the country.
Read more about Award for fight against corruptionDestroyed Palestinian lands becomes green again
50 years ago Fahmi Shawwa exported 200 tons of citrus a year. That was before Israeli authorities razed Palestinians’ land. Now cultivation of new trees has given him renewed hope.
Read more about Destroyed Palestinian lands becomes green againParents fear for children's lives
"Are you sure the land will be safe for our kids when you have left," members of the Dulombi community ask the Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) representative. Some of the children are playing football and others are testing their slingshots.
Read more about Parents fear for children's livesLebanese women clearing mines
Why would a woman in Lebanon give up her job as a teacher to work with explosives and mines? Hear Lamis Zein’s story on BBC.com.
Read more about Lebanese women clearing mines