We are talking about the regions of Cherkasy, Chernivtsi, Ivano-Frankivsk, Khmelnitsky, Kirovograd, Kyiv, Lviv, Poltava, Rivne, Ternopil, Vinnytsia, Volyn, Transcarpathian and Zhytomyr.
On January 13, the Norwegian government recognized several more regions of Ukraine as safe. Therefore, people living there can no longer receive collective protection in Norway. This is reported by the Norwegian Directorate for Foreigners (UDI), writes European reality.
Today Norway considers Cherkasy, Chernivtsi, Ivano-Frankivsk, Khmelnitsky, Kirovograd, Kyiv (region, not city), Lviv, Poltava, Rivne, Ternopil, Vinnytsia, Volyn, Transcarpathian and Zhytomyr regions safe.
If the person applying for protection in Norway lives in a “safe” area, the application will be considered on an individual basis. The criteria for obtaining individual protection in Norway are much stricter than collective protection.
It will also consider whether the Ukrainian authorities can provide protection to the person. The Norwegian authorities will determine if there are areas in Ukraine that are considered safe and suitable for a person to stay, regardless of whether that person previously lived in those areas.
It is noted that the change only applies to those who applied for protection from September 28, 2024 and did not receive a response to their application until January 13. It also applies to those who apply for protection after January 13, 2025.
It was previously reported that Norway has limited financial aid to refugees from Ukraine in order to avoid overburdening municipalities and maintain a high level of provision of services and benefits.
Let’s remember that last year the number of initial applications for asylum in the countries of the European Union, Norway and Switzerland decreased by approximately 12% (or by more than 130 thousand applications).
Source: korrespondent
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.