EU steps up assistance for Syrian refugees in neighbouring countries

Syria neighbouring States are increasingly affected by the number of refugees seeking sanctuary within their country. The European Commission is stepping up its assistance to Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon to contribute to address Syrian refugees’ needs.

On 4 December 2014, Federica Mogherini, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission said: "Today, the EU cannot simply watch the suffering of Syrian people without acting. We are ready and willing to bring a continued support to the people of Syria and to the neighbouring countries hosting Syrian refugees."

Background

The Syrian conflict is having a devastating and lasting impact on Syria and across the region. As of November 2014, with the conflict in its fourth year, the needs of the affected populations are of an unprecedented scale:

  • 10.8 million people inside the country – half of the Syrian population – of which 6.5 million people are internally displaced, are in need of urgent assistance.
  • 3.2 million refugees, of which 1.2 million in Turkey, 1.1 million in Lebanon and 630.000 in Jordan, need a daily basis humanitarian assistance.
  • The number of conflict-related deaths has surpassed 191,000 individuals and more than one million have been war-wounded.

EU financial assistance to Syria neighbouring countries

  • Jordan and Lebanon

To address Syrian refugees’ needs in these two countries, support their efforts and prevent political, social and economic instability threatening these countries, the Union budget and Member States have so far mobilised €2.9 billion since the start of the conflict (around €1.5 billion from the Union budget and €1.4 billion from Member States), making it the main world donor in addressing the consequences of this crisis.

Last 4 December, the European Commission has adopted a package worth €180 million to deal with the effects of the Syrian crisis in the country itself (€ 41 million), as well as in Lebanon (€73 million) and Jordan (€66 million). This package deals with the longer-term development needs of the refugees and internally displaced persons, in particular education and vocational training.

Read more on the EU financial support to Lebanon and Jordan as well as the European Commission fact sheet on this issue.

  • Turkey

Since the beginning of the Syrian crisis, the European Commission has contributed €187.5million to support refugees in Turkey.

On 9 December, the European Commission announced that an additional €10 million in humanitarian funding will be provided both inside Turkey and inside Syria via cross-border assistance from Turkey.

Read more on the EU assistance to Syrian refugees in Turkey

Publication Date: Tue 09 Dec 2014
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