The International Humanitarian Fund was established a year and a half ago. During this time, many political prisoners and their families have received support thanks to the Fund. Today, we answer key questions about how it works.
1️⃣ What is this Fund? Where is it registered and who manages it?
The International Humanitarian Fund was created in Norway at the initiative of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. It does not have its own legal entity but is administered by the Norwegian Helsinki Committee, a major human rights organization that receives and distributes funds, coordinates partner organizations, and oversees the use of resources.
The Fund’s Supervisory Board includes representatives of the Norwegian Helsinki Committee, Belarusian organizations, and international partners.
2️⃣ How does the Fund operate?
The Fund does not accept individual applications. Funding is provided to human rights and humanitarian organizations that work with specific groups: families of political prisoners, released prisoners, and forced migrants. These organizations then distribute the assistance where it is most needed.
This approach is designed to minimize administrative costs and ensure that aid reaches beneficiaries as efficiently as possible.
3️⃣ Who receives funding from the Fund?
In addition to the Norwegian Helsinki Committee, the following Belarusian partner organizations participate in the Fund’s governance:
Other organizations also receive support from the Fund, including BYSOL, the Association of Political Prisoners of Belarus, a shelter for former political prisoners in Warsaw, and others.
The Fund’s reports are available on its website.
❗ The Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya does not receive funding from the Fund and is not involved in distributing it. Its role is to advocate for additional countries to join and support the Fund.
4️⃣ How much funding has been raised?
According to the latest available data, the Fund has raised more than €3.2 million. Contributing countries include Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Croatia, Estonia, Iceland, Spain, Finland, Latvia, and Austria. Some countries are planning additional contributions.
During her working meetings, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya regularly encourages governments to join the Fund to support Belarusians affected by repression.
5️⃣ What is the money used for?
The Fund prioritizes assistance to people repressed inside Belarus. This includes:
- medical assistance;
- financial support;
- psychological assistance;
- rehabilitation for those who have experienced political repression.
The Fund also supports Belarusians in exile, including deported political prisoners. For example:
- Following recent releases, the Fund helped provide initial payments of €1,000.
- The Fund helped partially cover temporary housing for those released.
- The Fund also provided financial support for food, clothing, footwear, medicines, and other basic needs of those who were released.
6️⃣ Can the Fund be supported?
The majority of funding comes from state donors. However, individuals can also make a donation. Donations are transferred to the account of the Norwegian Helsinki Committee.
⚠️ Please note: it is unsafe to make such donations using Belarusian bank cards or while physically present in Belarus.
The International Humanitarian Fund remains a reliable instrument of support for Belarusians who have suffered from political repression. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office continues working to ensure that the Fund has sufficient resources to provide effective assistance.
