– It is a great, great relief that everyone is now out of Ukraine. We are very happy that everyone is out, and that everyone is in good physical condition, says Benedicte Giæver to Dagbladet.
Giæver states that all ten Norwegian observers have been evacuated from Ukraine, which is now under constant attack by Russian forces.
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– It has been difficult to get them out. There have been many different convoys, and when there are also so many who have to leave the country at the same time, it is clear that it has been demanding. It has taken longer than we hoped for.
Giæver adds that several of them have already arrived in Norway, and that others are in some of Ukraine’s neighboring countries. For security reasons, she can not say which countries are involved
– The evacuation has taken place during the last six days. It has happened gradually and the last one came out three days ago. We are working to get people home in the near future, and we set up debris for each individual when they arrive in Norway.
DESTROYED: One of the buildings where the OSCE has been stationed in Marrinka, eastern Ukraine. Photo: Tiril Skarstein / Norwegian Refugee Council
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– Complicated
She goes on to say that they already the same day as Russia invaded Ukraine began to investigate what opportunities they had to get the observers out.
– There are many elements that must fit together, so it is clear that it has taken time. It has also been very uncertain given the situation in Ukraine. Of course, you would like to get them out right away, but it has been complicated. In some places it has been extremely difficult to get out.
The OSCE, which oversees the security of observers, has had observers in Ukraine for many years, and Giæver says they have been spread from east to west in the country, including Donetsk, Kyiv, Odessa and Luhansk.
RELIEF: Director of NORCAP, Benedicte Giæver is very relieved that all the Norwegian observers have now been taken out of Ukraine. Photo: NORCAP
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Tough situation
– How do you take care of the employees who have been evacuated?
– We are in direct contact with each of them, and try to facilitate them. Some of them wanted to come home to Norway, while others had already made plans with their families.
The director of Norcap says it has been tough to follow developments in Ukraine, while she has had colleagues in the country.
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– We have constantly thought about how to get people out, at the same time as we have had full confidence that they have had talented people around them who have been able to make the right decisions.
– Can be quite dramatic
– We are deeply concerned about the safety of the Ukrainian citizens who are now in an extremely difficult situation. There is an urgent need for emergency aid, Giæver concludes.
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