New figures from the Directorate of Integration and Diversity show that the municipalities are unable to settle 37,000 refugees this year, as the Directorate has requested. Most are expected from Ukraine. – The feedback so far indicates that. We have received responses from 137 municipalities so far, and so far it seems that they are able to settle 79 per cent of the refugees we have asked them to. That’s what director Libe Rieber-Mohn says in the Directorate of Integration and Diversity. The municipalities have until 25 February to register how many refugees they want to settle in 2024. Yesterday it became clear that politicians in Drammen will only accept Ukrainian refugees. The authorities have asked the municipalities to resettle 37,000 refugees during 2024. Photo: Frode Fjerdingstad / news 29,000 refugees – So far, it seems that we will be able to resettle around 29,000 of the 37,000 we have requested, says Rieber-Mohn to news. This means that around 8,000 refugees will stay longer in asylum reception before they can start their new life in Norway. – We don’t want that. The best thing for the individual refugee is to get started with their life as quickly as possible, and to have a stable framework around them. – But we understand that many municipalities are struggling. Since the war in Ukraine started two years ago, we have settled almost 70,000 people in Norway, says Rieber-Mohn. Many municipalities blame high pressure on the municipal services when they say no to the refugees. There is pressure on medical services, schools and kindergartens. In addition, it is difficult to find own housing for the refugees in many places. Refugees in Norway Over 33,000 refugees were resettled across the country in 2023. This is the highest number in one year. So far, Norway has had 65,000 residents in the last two years. The authorities have requested Norwegian municipalities to resettle 37,000 refugees in 2024. Over 29,000 of those resettled in Norway in 2023 were Ukrainian refugees with temporary collective protection. For the second year in a row, it was the counties of Viken and Vestland that settled the most in number. (Source: The Government) More difficult to settle – But settlement continues all the time. So far this year, 2,000 refugees have settled, and we have signed agreements for a further 5,000 people. But it is perhaps more difficult now than when the war broke out in 2022, believes Libe Rieber-Mohn. The government has announced tightening of the asylum policy, and this may affect the flow of refugees throughout the year. – So much is still uncertain, she says. Nærøysund municipality in Trøndelag is one of many municipalities that are unable to accept as many people as the immigration authorities request. The director of the municipality insisted that the municipality should not accept a single refugee this year. – But the politicians have so far opened the door to accept 50, so we’ll see until the summer, says Nærøysund mayor Amund Hellesø (Ap) to news. Nærøysund mayor Amund Hellesø does not think they will be able to settle as many refugees this year as in 2023. Photo: Vegard Woll / news Great pressure in the municipalities In Nærøysund there is great pressure on schools and kindergartens, but it is also difficult to find work and housing. The municipality accepted over 100 refugees in 2023. – If we are to succeed in integrating the refugees, they must go to work. With us it is not that simple. That is why it is difficult to say yes to 107 refugees that we have been asked to take in this year, says Hellesø. This week, the country’s mayors have met, and much of the attention is focused on precisely the refugee issue. – I think central authorities must support the municipalities financially. Good financing arrangements must be put in place to get more homes built, and that is a signal we gave a long time ago. It is demanding both in terms of training, health, and getting them into work. So the burden the municipalities get must be better compensated, says Nærøysund mayor Amund Hellesø. Has made austerity measures The Ministry of Labor and Inclusion admits that many municipalities are now struggling with pressure on welfare services and a lack of housing. – The government is concerned with having control over immigration and integration. We will still stand up for Ukraine, but the number that comes here must be sustainable and manageable over time. That is why we have made austerity measures in several rounds. The aim is to bring the arrivals closer to the level in the other Nordic countries, says State Secretary Kjetil Vevle to news. State Secretary Kjetil Vevle in the Ministry of Labor and Inclusion says the government will limit the flow of refugees from Ukraine. Photo: Ministry of Education Vevle says the government will make it easier for the municipalities to start building housing for the refugees. – We have therefore relaxed the requirements for the municipalities so that they can quickly use vacant plots, commercial property and holiday homes to settle refugees. Some municipalities, for example, use former nursing homes to facilitate settlement. – We have also tightened the requirement for work adjustment of the Ukrainians’ introduction programme. So that they are better prepared for working life. This must take place to a greater extent through cooperation with business. Thus, we expect more Ukrainians to find work faster, says Kjetil Vevle.
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Norway is unable to accept all the refugees it wanted in 2024, figures from IMDI show – news Trøndelag – Local news, TV and radio
