– Norway is creating an A and B team among refugees
Photo: Derek Mindler
Secretary General of the Norwegian Red Cross, Bernt G. Apeland, claims that there is unintentional discrimination against refugee groups in Norway. Several organizational people say they are the only ones.
– Although it may be unintentional, the good measures that have been implemented to look after Ukrainians on the run lead to alienation for other vulnerable groups, he writes in a column on NRK Statement.
![](https://img.utrop.no/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/160909_Bernt_Apeland_011-scaled.jpg)
Secretary General of the Red Cross, Bernt G. Apeland, is concerned about what he sees as discrimination against refugees (Photo: Private)
Photo:
Thea Rabe
Such a ranking of asylum seekers and refugees, he believes, takes place in Norwegian receptions.
– In Asker, many young people at the reception for unaccompanied minors depend on bicycles from the Red Cross to get around, while refugees from Ukraine get a travel card from Ruter and can travel anywhere for free. In Skien and Porsgrunn, the Red Cross is contacted by actors who want to provide help specifically and exclusively to Ukrainian refugees.
This form of discrimination also occurs when settling.
– We are also aware that municipalities have refused to settle refugees, because the municipalities themselves want to settle Ukrainian refugees.
– Hospitality should apply to everyone
Utrop has previously written about Vy earlier this year limiting its free trips to only refugees from Ukraine.
Several people who responded to the offer excluded refugees with a background from countries other than Ukraine.
– I think it is very good that business and the state stand up when there is a need, but this hospitality, goodwill and commitment should be shown to all refugees and not just to some, says Amanda Anvar, SV politician in Søndre Nordstrand district committee.
Tor Brekke, CEO of HERO, says to NRK he would like to ensure that all refugees receive the same reception.
– So it’s just a little difficult to accept or understand that we can’t welcome other refugees in an equally good way. There is no less need for an Eritrean or Syrian – they also have a need for protection and a need to join the gang in Norwegian society.
Communications manager at Vy, Åge-Christoffer Lundeby, himself believed that the offer does not treat refugees differently.
![](https://img.utrop.no/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/BHS_4584.jpg)
Åge-Christoffer Lundeby in Vy disagrees with the company treating refugees differently (Photo: Bjørn H Stuedal/F24 Nordics).
Photo:
Bjørn H Stuedal/F24 Nordics
– We do not consider this to be discriminatory treatment as these are refugees who have not been taken care of by the Norwegian authorities, but are fleeing into the country. It’s to help along the way.
Like needs
Erlend Wiborg, immigration policy spokesperson in the Progressive Party, says there are differences between refugees from Ukraine and from other countries.
– We are talking about a group of refugees who come from our nearby areas. For years, the Progress Party has said that refugees are best served if they are helped in their immediate areas. A Ukrainian has completely different needs and prerequisites to manage in Norwegian society, he says to NRK.
– Help is important, no matter what
Utrop has contacted Minister for Employment and Inclusion Marte Mjøs Persen to get a response from the government on the situation description.
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Labor and Inclusion Minister Marte Mjøs Persen says the subsidy for Ukrainians was earmarked to ensure an offer that could reach many (Photo: Claudio Castello).
Photo:
Claudio Castello
– I am happy that municipalities, private actors and individuals stand up for those fleeing war, and want people to lend a hand regardless of where the refugees come from. From the authorities’ side, we have gained a lot of experience through having received many refugees in a short time. It gives us an opportunity to learn, and assess whether the adaptations made this time can and should be more lasting. I want the authorities, municipalities and volunteers to find out together.
Forced to take quick action
– Are there figures that refer to this differential treatment (regarding earmarked funds)?
– In order to accept many refugees at once, we have had to take some measures that can contribute to a safe everyday life, effectively, for those who had to flee from war. Those from Ukraine have received temporary collective protection, and then not the same training offer as other refugees. To remedy this, and make it possible for voluntary organizations to scale up and target their work, extra grants were given to voluntary organizations this spring, among other things. The grant was earmarked to ensure an offer that reached many, quickly.
Necessary ear tagging
In the event of mass flight and a large increase in refugees, it is natural, and necessary, to increase allocations to those who can contribute with important functions in the current situation, according to the minister.
– In order to contribute to a good everyday life for those who have fled Ukraine, the government chose to give extra grants to voluntary organisations. It made it possible for them to scale up and target their work, without it going beyond all the important work they were already doing, she says.