WASHINGTON, June 28, 2023-The Government of Norway made a grant contribution of NOK2 billion ($190 million) to the Ukraine Relief, Recovery, Reconstruction and Reform Trust Fund (URTF) to support the government's ability to deliver services, including investments to repair destroyed infrastructure. This is a second tranche from Norway to the URTF, following a $100 million grant contribution signed in December 2022.
The URTF is a multi-donor trust fund facility set up to channel grant resources from donor partners to the most critical sectors of Ukraine's economy addressing the country's immediate needs as outlined in the recent Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment report, focusing on critical sectors such as transport, energy and health. With Norway's contribution, the URTF budget reaches over $1.1 billion highlighting the commitment of international community to the recovery of Ukraine.
"We know that Ukraine is in urgent need of funding. This type of support will help to keep critical infrastructure and the daily delivery of essential public services running. Our support through the World Bank will also contribute to the reform process needed to promote economic growth moving forward, as well as reconstruction and European integration after the war. This contribution is part of Norway's five-year support package for Ukraine, an expression of our long-term support for Ukraine," said Minister of Foreign Affairs Anniken Huitfeldt.
"We are grateful to Norway for the ongoing support of the URTF and the relief and recovery efforts in Ukraine," said Arup Banerji, World Bank Regional Country Director for Eastern Europe. "With these funds, we expect to be able to inject more resources for emergency repair and recovery, including for housing, transport and energy and to assure continuity of essential health services and farming activities across the country."
Funds from URTF have so far provided critical resources for a number of key areas and projects, including the Repairing Essential Logistics Infrastructure and Network Connectivity (RELINC) Project, Restoration Project of Winterization and Energy Resources Ukraine, and Health Enhancement and Lifesaving (HEAL) Ukraine Project. Under the RELINC project, flatbed railway wagons and modular road bridges are being procured - to enable export routes for Ukraine's agricultural commodities via EU ports. In the energy sector, URTF is funding autotransformers and critical equipment required for repairing electricity and district heating infrastructure. The HEAL project is addressing the needs arising from the war related to mental health and rehabilitation, as well as ensures the continuity of essential services - immunization, primary care, and affordable medicines.
About the URTF:
The URTF was established in December 2022. The Fund supports Ukraine in planning and implementing its recovery, resilient reconstruction, and reform agenda. With the framework approach, the URTF is ensuring that the Ukrainian authorities can leverage multiple sources of financing efficiently and at scale.
Strategic guidance on URTF activities is provided by the Partnership Council. It is co-chaired by the World Bank Group and the Government of Ukraine, with the development partners as members. Contributors to the URTF include Austria, Canada, Iceland, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland. The Program Management Team is responsible for the day-to-day management of URTF's trustee funds.
