Many European nations have received Ukrainian refugees in the recent weeks. Although Norway is far from the front line of the war, a good number of Ukrainians have also found their way to relatives and friends in Norway. The Norwegian government has also said that they will receive at least 5,500 refugees in the near future. On March 18th 2022, some of the refugees were visited by the King of Norway.
The royal visit to the refugee reception centre at Helsfyr hotel was announced just hours before it took place. Upon arrival, King Harald was welcomed by Oslo’s mayor Marianne Borgen and head of the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration, Frode Forfang.
King Harald arrived at the Helsfyr hotel to talk to the refugees and show his solidarity with those affected by the war in Ukraine. Helsfyr hotel has been converted into a refugee reception centre with room for almost 1,000 Ukrainians. It is located on the outskirts of central Oslo. It was clear that the meeting left the king deeply moved.
The King of Norway also received a thorough briefing during his visit. King Harald was informed about Norway’s ability to receive Ukrainian refugees and how this work will be carried out. Oslo Municipality has said that they alone can receive 3,000 refugees. Also the rest of the country has shown a great willingness to receive Ukrainians.
The vast majority of Ukrainians who come to Norway travel into the country from the southernmost border crossing to Sweden. Here they are received and registered at the local refugee reception centre before being sent by bus to Helsfyr hotel. Almost all the refugees who arrive are women, elderly or children.
Earlier this month Crown Prince Haakon was briefed on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine, in a meeting with general secretary of Save the Children, general secretary of the Norwegian Refugee Council and the foreign chief of the Norwegian Red Cross. The Crown Prince then said: “It is war in Europe. People are being killed and people are fleeing. But there are also many who fight and resist. It is important that we take care of each other, and that we preserve our humanity and that we see people as they are: people. Both Ukrainian and Russian people should feel safe in Norway”.
