Norwac Norwegian Aid Committee

NORWAC is a humanitarian organization that works with health-related projects in the Middle East. NORWAC adheres to the main principles of humanitarianism and medical ethics, in particular the principles of impartiality - that services and assistance needs to be given according to needs, regardless of race and ethnicity, religion and political believes, and in line with medical ethics – in the tradition of the “Hippocratic oath”. NORWAC’s purpose is to facilitate and provide medical services to countries and areas according to needs. The assistance shall be provided as emergency support in acute crisis situations, and as assistance to longer term recovery and capacity building projects. The NORWAC Foundation was established January 1st 1994 in close cooperation with the Norwegian solidarity movement with the Palestinians. Before 1994 NORWAC was organized as a member association. Human rights and solidarity with oppressed peoples and reduction of inequality have always been important motivation factors for the Foundation, and constitute the main core values of the organization. NORWAC has since its inception had the bulk of the programs and interventions focused on the Palestinian issue in Palestine (OPT) and Lebanon. From 1999 to 2011 NORWAC was also engaged in working in the Western Balkan. NORWAC will seek to ensure access for all vulnerable groups to health services through a combination of approaches and projects – through supporting and facilitating the overall health frameworks, structures and policies (public and private) and locally based health project providing direct support to beneficiaries. NORWAC believes that health programs also can be a conduit for conflict reduction and mitigation, through fostering dialogue, hope and dignity. NORWAC’s main resource base is its own professionals: their background and networks.