Norway is one of the most generous countries in the world when it concerns humanitarian aid in global crises.  The situation in Libya is no exception.  Norway sent NOK 50 million in aid for the crisis in Libya even before the battles began. Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jonas Gahr Støre, made the following statement over one week ago:  “The acute humanitarian crisis in Libya and on the Tunisian-Libyan border is extremely serious. It is essential that the international community takes responsibility for helping those who are in need of assistance and protection.”  Norway also plans to send 6 F16 fighter jets to join the international coalition in the efforts to protect civilians in Libya.  Between 110 and 115 Norwegian men will likely be part of the operation.  These jets were last used in Afgahnistan in 2003 and 2005, and before that in 1999 in Kosovo.  As you can see, they aren’t used very often, so it is quite a big deal when they get sent on a mission.  See the article in Aftenposten for more information and a picture of one of the jets.

As far as I can tell, Norway has not sent any aid to Japan in the wake of the earthquake last week and the following tsunami disaster.  Jonas Gahr Støre said that Norway would send search and rescue help if Japan needed it, but that Japan is highly capable of this and Norway wouldn’t step in unless Japan confirms that they need the help.

Although it seems tasteless to even mention things like a shortage of sushi for the rest of the world, these things are indeed being noticed and having an economic effect on several industries.  By the same token, certain countries are set to benefit financially from the disaster in Japan.  Norway is one of these countries.  Due to the unstable nature of the nuclear plants in Japan, the electricity must be replaced by gas, which Norway has plenty of.  It is estimated that Norway will gain several billion U.S. dollars from the production of natural gas.  See here for an article with more information.