Food in Emergencies: The organisation of food provision for Ukrainian refugees living in Norway from a human rights perspective
Abstract
Background: The right to food is fundamental, ensuring individuals and communities have access to sufficient, adequate food that meets their dietary needs. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 forced millions of Ukrainians to seek refuge in various countries, including Norway. Providing shelter and enough food to the Ukrainian’s seeking refuge in Norway posed challenges putting their rights, including the right to food, at potential risk…Objective: To analyse the organisation of food provision for Ukrainian refugees living in Norway from a human rights perspectiveMethod: We used a qualitative research design, conducting eight in-depth interviews with representatives of public authorities and organisations involved in assisting refugees. Participants were selected using purposeful and snowball sampling methods. We used thematic analysis to analyse the data.Result: The findings revealed that the different organisations strived to protect the right to food. Interpretations varied, with some emphasising basic nutritional access and others recognising food’s cultural and psychological significance in maintaining dignity and identity. Two primary models were involved in food provision: a centralised model, in which refugees received prepared meals at no cost, and a decentralised model, in which financial allowances were provided for self-prepared meals. The main challenges included logistical constraints, cultural adaptation issues, and limited financial and material resources, impacting food availability and satisfaction. Finally, the collaboration was characterised by partial, ad hoc partnerships among organisations, with limited information-sharing and coordination, though some successful collaborations were noted with local municipalities and businesses. Conclusion: The overall results showed that the Norwegian government and assisting organisations responded adequately to the sudden influx of Ukrainian refugees, emphasizing the role of NGOs and public-private organisations in upholding refugees' rights to food. We recommend enhanced collaboration, benchmarking and pre-emptive planning for similar humanitarian situations to strengthen future responses.Keywords: Food aid, Right to food, Food security, Ukrainian refugees, Humanitarian assistance.