Latest news with #NorskFolkehjelp
NDTV
29-05-2025
- NDTV
"Still Shaking My Head In Disbelief": Indian Man Recounts Harrowing Hike Experience In Norway
An Indian content creator recently recounted a harrowing hiking experience in Norway with his wife and shared how local volunteers came to their rescue. In a long Instagram post, Akash Banerjee revealed that he and his wife were hiking to Preikestolen, popularly known as Pulpit Rock, near the city of Stavanger. They reached the viewpoint successfully and enjoyed the picturesque view. However, on their descent, their journey took an unexpected, dangerous turn when Mr Banerjee's wife, Nidhi, slipped on the wet trail and sprained or possibly fractured her ankle. "About 4 kilometres from civilisation, biting cold winds, rain fast approaching and unable to move - I was at my wits end on what to do next," he recalled. Mr Banerjee shared that after being encouraged by fellow hikers, he called Norway's emergency number, 113, "with a lot of scepticism". However, what happened next restored his faith in humanity. "Within minutes, the responders had used my phone to pin my location and assured me help was on the way," he said. "In less than an hour, an army of mountain rescuers - accompanied by doctors - were with us," he shared. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Akash Banerjee (@ The rescue team, part of Norwegian People's Aid (Norsk Folkehjelp), quickly examined his wife's injuries and carried her down to base camp on a portable stretcher. "They examined Nidhi - put her leg in a vacuum bag - opened up a portable stretcher - and 6 super-humans carted Nidhi all the way to the base camp. All with a smile," he shared. The couple was concerned about the cost of such a rescue, but this was also eased after he learned that the team was volunteers offering their expertise for free. "These rescuers were not part of any paid / professional team that was at the park / trail - they were normal working Norwegians who just land up to help when the need arises," he wrote. "For a nation that spends so much time in rain / darkness - I came to understand why Norway is one of the happiest nations on the planet. I am at a loss of words - but I am deeply thankful & in awe of Norwegians & Norwegian People's Aid," he added. "I don't believe in angels and fairies - but I encountered them myself in Norway. Still shaking my head in disbelief - and relief - that angels do exist," Mr Banerjee said. Since being shared, the post has garnered more than 33,000 likes. In the comments section, users praised the Norwegian volunteers. "Beautiful country. Lovely, helpful people. So glad you got all the assistance you needed and more," wrote one user. "Humanity at its best. They don't get penalised for leaving their work and going for rescue or doing community work. Encouraged and built into social structure, a lesson for world at large. Good to know you guys are safe. And many blessings to these angels indeed," commented another. "I live in Norway and i can attest to every word said sense and prioritising your fellow citizens is at its peak in how Norwegians show their patriotism not by hating a particular sect of people in your country," wrote a third user.
Indian Express
29-05-2025
- Indian Express
‘Angels do exist': Indian couple shares harrowing hike experience in Norway, hails miraculous rescue by local volunteers
Hiking can be inherently dangerous, especially without proper preparation or awareness of the terrain and weather conditions. In recent years, several casualties have been reported worldwide, often triggered by sudden weather changes or poor physical endurance. Hiking remains one of the most unpredictable outdoor activities. Abhishek Banerjee, a popular Indian content creator and satirist, recounted a recent harrowing hiking experience with his wife in Norway, shedding light on the swift rescue operation that followed. During the final leg of their road trip through Norway, Banerjee and his wife, Nidhi, were hiking to Preikestolen, popularly known as Pulpit Rock, near the city of Stavanger. The site, perched high above the stunning Lysefjord, attracts thousands of hikers each year, but its rugged terrain can become challenging after rainfall. In the now-viral post, Banerjee shared that they hiked through the viewpoint successfully, enjoying the picturesque view. However, on their descent, the journey took a dangerous turn when Nidhi slipped on the wet trail, spraining or possibly fracturing her ankle. Stranded in biting cold, with rain fast approaching and nearly four kilometers from the nearest road, the couple found themselves in a desperate situation. Encouraged by fellow hikers, he called Norway's emergency number, 113. 'About 4 kilometres from civilisation, biting cold winds, rain fast approaching and unable to move – I was at my wits end on what to do next. However fellow hikers asked me to call 113 – assuring me that help will reach us,' Banerjee shared on Instagram. What followed, he described, restored his faith in humanity. 'Within minutes, the responders had used my phone to pin my location and assured me help was on the way,' he said. 'In less than an hour, an army of mountain rescuers — accompanied by doctors — were with us.' The rescue team, part of Norwegian People's Aid (Norsk Folkehjelp), acted swiftly. They began with stabilising Nidhi's injury using a vacuum splint and carefully carried her down to base camp on a portable stretcher. 'They examined Nidhi – put her leg in a vacuum bag – opened up a portable stretcher – and 6 super-humans carted Nidhi all the way to the base camp. All with a smile,' he shared. Banerjee's concern about the cost of such a rescue was quickly eased when they learned that the team was volunteers offering their expertise for free. 'These were not paid professionals stationed at the park. They were ordinary working Norwegians who showed up when help was needed,' he wrote. Among them were a surveyor and a petroleum industry worker, people from different walks of life. For a country known for its harsh weather and long winters, Banerjee added, it's no wonder Norway consistently ranks as one of the happiest nations in the world. 'I don't believe in angels and fairies,' he wrote, 'but I encountered them myself in Norway. Still shaking my head in disbelief — and relief — that angels do exist.' See the post here: A post shared by Akash Banerjee (@ Banerjee's post has since gone viral, with social media users hailing the Norwegian volunteers. 'Beautiful country. Lovely, helpful people. So glad you got all the assistance you needed and more,' a user wrote. 'Glad all is well. Yes Norway and its people are amazing. Take care,' another user commented.
Local Norway
13-02-2025
- Politics
- Local Norway
Norwegian aid group lays off 1,700 workers over US aid freeze
It is the second major Norwegian charity in two days to cut operations because of the decision by US President Donald Trump. The Norwegian Refugee Council said on Monday it was suspending humanitarian activities in almost 20 countries. Norsk Folkehjelp said in a statement that about $41 million, or 40 percent of its funding to clear mines and other explosives, had been lost. The job cuts are in countries including Ukraine, Afghanistan, Iraq and Cambodia. "Freezing support for mine and explosive ordnance disposal not only slows down current activities. It will delay and, in the worst case scenario, could reverse the enormous progress that the world, led by the United States, has made to combat these beastly weapons," Raymond Johansen, Norsk Folkehjelp's secretary general, said in the statement. Trump has unleashed a flurry of executive orders aimed at slashing federal spending, including shutting down the US Agency for International Development (USAID). Trump said on Sunday there was "hundreds of millions of dollars of money that's going to places where it shouldn't be going." Norsk Folkehjelp had employed some 3,200 people and operated in 21 countries, but shut down some operations in January when new US Secretary of State Marco Rubio ordered a freeze on all US aid, except to Israel and Egypt. There were close to 7,000 casualties from landmines and cluster munitions worldwide in 2023, according to the group's website.
LBCI
11-02-2025
- Business
- LBCI
Norwegian aid group lays off 1,700 workers over US aid freeze
Norsk Folkehjelp, a major Norwegian aid group that specializes in demining operations, said Tuesday it would let go 1,700 workers in 12 countries following the U.S. decision to freeze foreign aid payments. The charity said in a statement that 40 percent of its funding to clear mines and other explosives had been lost. AFP
Khaleej Times
11-02-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Norwegian aid group lays off 1,700 workers over US aid freeze
Norsk Folkehjelp, a major Norwegian aid group that specialises in demining operations, said on Tuesday it would let go 1,700 workers in 12 countries following a US decision to freeze foreign aid payments. It is the second major Norwegian charity in two days to cut operations because of the decision by US President Donald Trump. The Norwegian Refugee Council said on Monday it was suspending humanitarian activities in almost 20 countries. Norsk Folkehjelp said in a statement that about $41 million, or 40 per cent of its funding to clear mines and other explosives, had been lost. The job cuts are in countries including Ukraine, Afghanistan, Iraq and Cambodia. "Freezing support for mine and explosive ordnance disposal not only slows down current activities. It will delay and, in the worst case scenario, could reverse the enormous progress that the world, led by the United States, has made to combat these beastly weapons," Raymond Johansen, Norsk Folkehjelp's secretary general, said in the statement. Trump has unleashed a flurry of executive orders aimed at slashing federal spending, including shutting down the US Agency for International Development (USAID). Trump said on Sunday there was "hundreds of millions of dollars of money that's going to places where it shouldn't be going". Norsk Folkehjelp had employed some 3,200 people and operated in 21 countries, but shut down some operations in January when new US Secretary of State Marco Rubio ordered a freeze on all US aid, except to Israel and Egypt. "The highest cost will be paid by children, farmers and local communities affected by mines around the world," Johansen said. There were close to 7,000 casualties from landmines and cluster munitions worldwide in 2023, according to the group's website.
