– There is a great possibility that something could happen. There is war in Europe now, so it is important to be prepared, says Marie Tjosaas Jota (17). Together with her class, she is on an excursion in Telegrafbukta in Tromsø. There are few reminders of a crisis on this sunny day, but the 17-year-olds have the fear that something could happen in the back of their minds. They have just learned about self-preparedness at school, after the authorities updated their preparedness advice at the end of May. – People think that we are preparing for war, says Rumaisa Ibrahim Karar (17). Photo: Simen Wingstad / news Biggest fear of war in the north A recent news survey shows that 35 per cent of the population fear that war or invasion could happen in Norway. It is the most among those under 50 who have this fear, and the fewest among those over 80. The survey was carried out by Norstat for news. A representative sample of 1,000 people was asked what they fear could happen in Norway, and more than one in three answered war or invasion. – It is sensational, but not necessarily so easy to explain. This is what Mads Motrøen, who is responsible for political polls in Norstat, tells news. And in Northern Norway, the proportion is far higher than in the rest of the country. Here, almost half, 44 per cent, answer that they fear such a crisis. – Although the sample in Northern Norway is small, this is a high enough proportion to differentiate significantly from the rest of the country as a whole, says Motrøen. – Consequence of a changed situation – It is natural that this fear is somewhat greater in the north, given that Russia borders our northern areas, says Tom Røseth, associate professor at the Norwegian Defense College. He points out that people in the north have had good cooperation with Russia for a long time, and that it is a shame for many that the security policy situation has changed so drastically. – But the realities are there, and the consequences of the changed situation are precisely that one fears a war to a greater extent. Because it is precisely from Russia that the biggest threat to Norway now comes, threat assessments from the intelligence and security services show. Associate Professor Tom Røseth at the Norwegian Defense College. Photo: Ingvild Vik / news – In addition, we have digital threats from Russia, but also other actors, such as China. Røseth emphasizes that, as of now, it is not likely that Russia and NATO will end up at war with each other. – Both parties seek to avoid this. No one is interested in it. So I would say that the probability is low, but still it is higher than what it has been. Sweden and Finland’s entry into the defense alliance has also created a much stronger flank in the north. What do you do if the power goes out, the water gets contaminated or you can’t get food for you and your family? Reporter and father of young children Christer Johnsgård checks how things really stand with his own and his neighbours’ emergency plan: These are the crises most fear Ingri Fredriksen and Kirsti Pedersen enjoying a cup of coffee on a bench in Telegrafbukta. They are not particularly afraid of war or other crises. – We probably think that there will be no crisis, says Pedersen. Ingri Fredriksen and Kirsti Pedersen do not think the crisis will hit Norway in the near future. Photo: Rebekka Ellingsen / news – I don’t know what crisis might arise, says Fredriksen, and adds: – I’m not particularly afraid of Putin, but it might have to be him in that case. Pedersen lists potential dangers she can imagine: Natural disasters, power outages, hacking. – It might happen, but it’s not something I go around thinking about, she says. news’s investigation shows that Pedersen is onto something. These are the kinds of crises most people in Norway fear could happen. – Has handled crises well Kjersti Kristiansen, assistant director of preparedness at the State Administrator in Troms and Finnmark, understands that it is precisely these crises that most people say they fear. After all, they have already hit us several times. – It is perhaps natural to think that you are more exposed to what you yourself have felt on your body. Kjersti Kristiansen, assistant director of emergency preparedness at the State Administrator in Troms and Finnmark. Photo: Ingvild Vik / news It is the municipalities that have the overall responsibility for safeguarding the safety of people in the event of a crisis, while the State Administrator must ensure that the municipalities comply with this duty. Kristiansen highlights the storm “Ingunn”, which hit large parts of Northern Norway and Central Norway this winter. – We handle these incidents very well, both in the municipalities and each of us who are left without power and have poor communication options, says Kristiansen. Røset believes that the answers in the survey largely reflect the current threat picture. – Digital attacks that are difficult to uncover are something that threat actors such as Russia and China have a lower threshold for doing. So there is a real threat, he says. Associate Professor Tom Røseth at the Norwegian Defense College. Photo: Ingvild Vik / news – Worse for the young 17-year-olds Jota and Karar believe it is important not to worry too much before the crisis arrives. – As long as you have preparedness and know that you can manage if something happens, there is nothing to be afraid of, says Jota. – And if something happens, we have the Armed Forces, and we are part of a large community that looks after us, says Karar. Friends Fredriksen and Pedersen also have a relaxed attitude to the crisis talk. – It’s not that dangerous for us who are a bit older, it’s worse for the young. If we go along, it’s not that important, says Fredriksen. Kirsti Pedersen is not particularly afraid of war. Photo: Rebekka Ellingsen / news – Oh yes, I probably don’t quite agree with that, says Pedersen, and adds: – I had intended to live a few more years. But they both have a plan, should the crisis arise. Both Fredriksen and Pedersen have houses in the countryside. – We have talked about the fact that we must try to get there if something happens. So we have to make sure we have enough petrol to get there, and then I think we are saved, says Pedersen. It is worse for Fredriksen, who has an electric car. But her friend comes to the rescue: – You can sit with us, says Pedersen. Hello! Do you have any input or thoughts after reading the case? Or do you perhaps have something you are passionate about, a good story or a funny tip? Feel free to send me an email! Published 21.06.2024, at 05.03
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Most people in Northern Norway fear war – news Troms and Finnmark
