Food provision for Ukrainian refugees: preparedness and cultural adaptation

Background: Armed conflicts force large numbers of people to flee, creating urgent humanitarian needs. In Norway, around 80,000 Ukrainian refugees—mainly women, children, and older adults—arrived following the Russian invasion, with an estimated 10,000 arrivals in the first month. Providing adequate food is a key element of reception policies, as previous research shows displaced populations are at risk of food insecurity. This study explores how resources were mobilized to ensure appropriate food provision for Ukrainian refugees in Norway and examines refugees’ perceptions of the adequacy, cultural appropriateness, and potential food insecurity associated with the support they received.
Methods: We conducted in-depth interviews with eight representatives from authorities and NGOs, and private organizations responsible for early-stage assistance, along with 25 interviews with Ukrainian refugees recruited through purposive and snowball sampling. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis, leading to the development of key themes that capture both organizational and individual experiences.
Results: The findings show that the reception system faced notable challenges due to the scale and speed of arrivals, which exceeded existing asylum reception capacity. Nevertheless, expertise developed during previous humanitarian responses, such as the Syrian refugee crisis, was quickly reactivated. Overall, Ukrainian refugees did not report severe food insecurity, and those in reception centers often influenced meal planning to increase cultural relevance. However, participants who arrived within the first three months described limited dietary diversity and food that did not always meet cultural expectations. Social networks and access to Norway’s welfare system generally helped mitigate vulnerability to food insecurity. Still, concerns emerged regarding the longer term, especially as social support and state financial assistance decrease over time.
Conclusion: The response to Ukrainian refugees’ food needs demonstrates that substantial and timely resources were mobilized, and the approaches used may serve as a model for supporting other refugee groups in Norway. However, given the ongoing nature of the conflict and the evolving needs of displaced populations, continued monitoring of food security and attention from local authorities remain essential to ensure sustained well-being.