– It’s war in Europe. An incredibly serious situation. People are fleeing, people are being killed, but we also see people fighting and resisting, says Crown Prince Haakon.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Crown Prince Regent met Save the Children, the Norwegian Refugee Council and the Red Cross to get an information about the humanitarian situation in Ukraine.
Watch the interview with the Crown Prince in the video window at the top of the case.
– Serious, chaotic and difficult
The meeting was on the initiative of the Crown Prince Regent himself.
– The humanitarian contribution that these organizations make is an important part of Norway’s contribution. It was very nice to talk directly with those who work in Ukraine to get a better understanding, says Crown Prince Haakon to TV 2.
– ORIENTATION: During the meeting on Wednesday afternoon, the Crown Prince painted a serious picture. Photo: Kristin Grønning / TV 2
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He emphasized that Norway had condemned the situation and sided with Ukraine. About what he heard during the meeting, he says:
– It is a confirmation that the situation is incredibly serious, chaotic and difficult.
He describes the pictures sent from the ground as heartbreaking.
He thinks Norwegians should do this now
When asked by TV 2 about what Norwegians can do here from home, Crown Prince Haakon answers that there are a number of things, such as supporting the humanitarian organizations.
– They have a high level of competence and have shown that they achieve a lot in difficult situations, he says and adds:
– At the same time, it is important for us Norwegians to take care of each other. Many are naturally anxious now.
The Crown Prince’s regent also believed that Norwegians must stick to what he described as “our humanity”.
– We must be able to see people for what they are, precisely people. And I can support what the Prime Minister said that both Ukrainian and Russian people should feel safe in Norway. That’s important, I think.
Think several thousand will come to Norway
Jan Egeland, Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council, was present at the meeting.
– We had the opportunity to tell that now the Ukrainian people are entering their eighth night with bombing, war and insecurity. Then it is important that they know that the Norwegian people think of them and send money to the aid workers on the ground, says Egeland.
Their own aid workers are also on the run in Ukraine. He describes the conditions as absolutely terrible.
– THE ORGANIZATIONS: Both the Red Cross, the Norwegian Refugee Council and Save the Children have crews on the ground in Ukraine. Photo: Kristin Grønning / TV 2
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One hundred thousand flee from east to west in Ukraine, and even more flee to neighboring countries. The worst off are in Ukraine. They are scared, frozen and in pain.
– How big will the refugee flow to Norway be?
Many, many thousands. There is no doubt about that. If there are four to five million fleeing to neighboring countries, a proportion of them will move to Scandinavia, says Egeland.
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