Norway has announced it will provide an additional NOK 1.1 billion (more than USD 73 million) to Ukraine help rebuild damaged energy infrastructure.
This is said in a press release published on the Norwegian government’s website, Ukrinform reports.
“Norway hopes this new funding will make it possible to alleviate some of the damage and secure electricity in Ukraine,” Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said.
He noted that his country is in close dialogue with Ukraine on how it can use these funds most effectively. However, it is important to begin infrastructure repair efforts quickly, before winter arrives.
It has already been determined that NOK 120 million (more than USD 8 million) will be channelled via the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). These funds will be used to repair energy infrastructure providing electricity to the Kharkiv region, which has been particularly hard hit by Russian attacks this spring.
“This funding will help, among other things, to ensure a stable electricity supply to maternity units and operating theatres at seven hospitals in the Kharkiv area,’ said Prime Minister Støre.
The press release says that seven hospitals in the Kharkiv region will be equipped with solar panels to ensure a stable power supply to critical facilities such as maternity units and operating theatres.
As reported by Ukrinform, on June 12, the Norwegian Ministry of Defense announced the Norwegian government would allocate EUR 240 million to Ukraine for the purchase of air defense equipment.