A Ukrainian Red Cross delegation, led by President Maksym Dotsenko and Director General Illya Kletskovskyy, visited Norway

The main purpose of the visit was to share experience in responding to humanitarian crises and discuss further cooperation with the Norwegian Red Cross. During meetings in Bergen and Oslo, the two organisations outlined key partnership priorities under a new three-year agreement. These include cooperation in healthcare, humanitarian diplomacy, promoting knowledge of International Humanitarian Law, financial sustainability and organisational capacity development.

As part of the visit, Maksym Dotsenko also spoke at the humanitarian forum “War in Europe, Crisis in Norway: Is the Volunteer Sector Ready?” He shared the Ukrainian Red Cross’s experience of working during a full-scale war, highlighting the importance of preparing teams in advance, building trust within communities and establishing effective cooperation with government authorities.

Representatives of the Ukrainian Red Cross also attended the General Assembly of the Norwegian Red Cross and held separate meetings with the National Society’s leadership. The delegation met with State Secretary and National Security Adviser Thomas Hornburg, representatives of Norway’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Norad (Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation), as well as members of the Norwegian Parliament’s Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence.

Key topics discussed during the meetings included the humanitarian situation in Ukraine, emergency preparedness, security challenges, the role of volunteers and civil society during wartime, and further opportunities for long-term cooperation.

We thank Norway and the Norwegian Red Cross for their longstanding partnership, support for the people of Ukraine and continued commitment to strengthening humanitarian response in Ukraine.