The settlement of Norwegian refugees in Norway is proceeding at record speed. This is shown by statistics from IMDi. – The settlement in Norway is going very well. The government’s policy is that we want a dispersed settlement based on voluntary work from the municipalities, says Labor and Integration Minister Marte Mjøs Persen (Ap) to news. The arrival of refugees has naturally increased sharply after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. But the resettlement of the refugees is also going at record speed. According to figures from IMDi, there are more than 25,000 refugees who in the last six months have either been settled or received an agreement on settlement in Norwegian municipalities. It is more than the last four years combined, says assistant director of IMDi Halwan Ibrahim. In the last month, UDI has had to adjust its expectations about how many refugees may arrive in Norway from Ukraine this year. And the pressure in the municipalities has never been greater. Labor and Inclusion Minister Marte Mjøs Persen (Ap) and Ukrainian Ludmyla Klymenko (72) on a Norwegian course for the elderly in Tromsø earlier this week. Photo: Tove Jensen / news – Historic – The waiting time is shorter compared to previous years. On average, it takes 1.4 months from when people are granted protection until they have moved to their municipality, says Ibrahim. – It has never gone as fast as it is now. There is both a positive willingness on the part of the municipalities to accept, and a commitment out there that we greatly appreciate. – In addition, we have also taken the necessary steps to cut down on the waiting time from both IMDi and UDI’s side, says Ibrahim. However, the estimate of 35,000 settled refugees this year may change, says Ibrahim. Earlier this week, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that the country is escalating the war against Ukraine. This has led to strong reactions from Western leaders. It has also been reported that several Russians who fear being sent into battle are now fleeing the country. Assistant Director of IMDi, Halwan Ibrahim. Photo: IMDI – Easier to integrate Ukrainians Nordreisa municipality in Troms and Finnmark is among the many that have accepted and settled refugees, both from Ukraine and other countries. The mayor of the municipality, Hilde Anita Nyvoll (Ap), says that the commitment in the municipality is great, and that the integration of the Ukrainians is going particularly well. – Many are well educated. We see that it is easier to integrate Ukrainian refugees than, for example, quota refugees, says Nyvoll. Request for reception of refugees at county level: Agder: 2245 Innlandet: 2790 Møre and Romsdal: 2835 Nordland: 2750 Oslo: 2000 Rogaland: 3605 Troms and Finnmark: 2835 Trøndelag: 3790 Vestfold and Telemark: 2045 Vestland: 4340 Viken: 5765 Total: 35 000 Source: IMDi.no So far this year, the municipality has settled 43 refugees, 26 of them from Ukraine. According to Nyvoll, several of these are already out in ordinary work. – It is fantastic. Since the war broke out, people here have wanted to stand up, and volunteerism has been strong. The Red Cross, Norwegian People’s Aid and several other associations have welcomed the refugees with open arms, she says. – Housing shortage can be a challenge KS also praises the municipalities, which have made “a fantastic effort”, says head of department Nina Gran. Head of department in KS Nina Gran says there have been many creative solutions to deal with the large settlement, and the great involvement of the population has been an important contribution to success. Photo: KS – There has been a great deal of voluntary work in the municipalities this year. At the same time, we have received signals which indicate that it may be difficult to maintain the same pace in all the municipalities next year if necessary, she says. KS believes that the biggest challenge if the influx is at the same level will be the housing market, which is already under pressure in many municipalities. – In addition, it is already difficult for many municipalities to recruit the necessary personnel, says Gran. – Most of the refugees are satisfied On Saturday, the Ukrainian Association in Norway will organize a march in Oslo and other selected places in the country, says media contact Natalia Ravn-Christensen. – We do this to say thank you, and there are mainly two things we thank you for. One is the aid Norway has provided in the form of weapons and financial resources. But also how the refugees have been received. Natalia Ravn-Christensen, media contact at the Ukrainian Association, says that they are organizing the march as a thank you. Photo: Privat She says that they are in close contact with the refugees, and regularly organize meetings about how to find a job, and how the school system in Norway works, to name a few. – We find that those who have become residents are very satisfied, she says to news. Although Norway is not the country where there has been the greatest pressure, she feels that most people who have settled are very satisfied.
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Norway has settled a record number of refugees in 2022, according to Labor Minister Marte Mjøs Persen and IMDi – news Troms and Finnmark
