800 refugees in 2027

News from Møre og Romsdal over the past 48 hours has been dominated by the request to accommodate refugees in 2027, several public service cases and a cultural story in Molde. On Friday 23 October, the Integrerings- og mangfaldsdirektoratet (IMDi) sent Norwegian municipalities its 2027 requests: in Møre og Romsdal, 800 people are concerned, and 2 municipalities in Søre Sunnmøre have not been asked to accommodate any (NRK Møre og Romsdal). The case concerning Hjelset’s pediatric unit also remains unresolved, while the temporary closure of the Angvik daycare in Gjemnes led to the relocation of children (NRK Møre og Romsdal).

Møre og Romsdal news: 800 refugees to be allocated in 2027

IMDi’s request arrived on Friday morning, 23 October. For 2027, Møre og Romsdal municipalities are being asked to accommodate a total of 800 refugees, compared with 988 in the previous request, according to NRK Møre og Romsdal. Nationally, IMDi is asking municipalities to accommodate 8,680 refugees in 2027; The Local Norway reports this national figure for 2027.

In the county, 2 municipalities are particularly affected by the decrease: Sande and Vanylven in Søre Sunnmøre have not been asked to accommodate refugees in 2027, although they were each asked to take in 5 in the previous request (NRK Møre og Romsdal). NRK clarifies that IMDi describes this as an invitation not to settle refugees, rather than a formal decision by the municipalities.

These figures form part of a national request that remains significant for municipalities. NRK Møre og Romsdal reports that IMDi is requesting 8,680 refugees nationwide for 2027, a figure also cited by The Local Norway. The subsequent allocation among the county’s municipalities depends on accommodation capacity and local decisions.

Health: The future of Hjelset’s pediatric unit remains uncertain

In Hjelset, Møre og Romsdal, several members of the working group assessing the future of the pediatric unit have announced their withdrawal. Union representative Tonje Solli Strand believes the outcome appears to have been decided in advance; Helse Møre og Romsdal rejects this interpretation (NRK Møre og Romsdal). The case concerns the future of the barneavdelingen, the children’s unit, and the provision of overnight care.

MP Harry Valderhaug (KrF) has sent a written question to Health Minister Jan Christian Vestre about the closure of the night service at Hjelset’s pediatric unit. He asks what the minister intends to do to reopen the service as soon as possible and how care for sick children will be guaranteed in the meantime (NRK Møre og Romsdal). The question was sent on Tuesday; it was being processed and had not yet received a response, according to NRK.

Education: Angvik daycare closed and children relocated to Gjemnes

The Angvik daycare in Gjemnes closed for the day, and parents received an urgent notice. The oldest children were placed in available classrooms at Angvik school, while the younger children were accommodated at a daycare in Batnfjord (NRK Møre og Romsdal). The facility was due to be demolished, with the children sent to temporary premises at Heggem allaktivitetshus.

The indoor environment in these temporary premises was so poor that the state supervisory authority, Statsforvaltaren, eventually intervened, according to NRK Møre og Romsdal. Parents had long been concerned about air quality, temperature and acoustics. Last week, Statsforvaltaren concluded that the temporary premises were problematic, leading to the closure and relocation of the children (NRK Møre og Romsdal).

Culture: Molde’s Kordfløyel selected by NRK

NRK’s music editors present their new recommendations every Friday. This week, the Molde-based band Kordfløyel features with a new song (NRK Møre og Romsdal). The selection also mentions Justice with Tame Impala, SZA, King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, Marstein and Tate McRae, as well as the latest news surrounding Grand Theft Auto VI.

📌 Local briefs

The ferry connecting Kvanne and Rykkjem has been immobilized indefinitely after running aground shortly after departure. A journalist from the local newspaper Driva was on board; she reports that the vessel made an unexpected U-turn after 50 to 60 metres. Neighbours heard a noise at 14:08, and the police have opened an investigation (NRK Møre og Romsdal).

In Ulstein municipality, 2 drivers were reported to the police after driving at 97 and 111 km/h in a zone with a 60 km/h limit late on the evening of 23 October. 4 other drivers received simplified fines for speeding, and 4 for using a mobile phone while driving (NRK Møre og Romsdal).

Ålesund police are asking parents to speak with their children following an increase in “ring på og spring”, meaning doorbell ringing followed by running away. Police were called in Ålesund on Thursday and report that the phenomenon is occurring in several places; they believe it has now gone beyond the scope of a game (NRK Møre og Romsdal).

Sources: NRK Møre og Romsdal, Sunnmørsposten, Romsdals Budstikke, The Local Norway — Period: 23 October 2026 and 24 October 2026