EU Mobilizes 663 Million Euro in Assistance for Refugees in Turkey

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The European Commission has announced that it is mobilising 663 million Euro in humanitarian aid to continue major projects under the EU Facility for Refugees in Turkey.

The aid will ensure the continuity of the EU's largest ever humanitarian programme, the Emergency Social Safety Net (ESSN), said the Commission. The remaining funds will continue supporting projects in the areas of education and essential services such as healthcare.

"A success story"

Christos Stylianides, Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, said, "EU support has made a real impact for refugees hosted in Turkey.

Thanks to EU support, around 1.7 million refugees can meet their basic needs, and more than half a million refugee children go to school. These results speak for themselves. I would like to thank our humanitarian partners on the ground for making EU assistance in Turkey a success story.

The EU is committed to continue delivering on its commitments in line with the EU-Turkey statement.''

Through the continuation of the ESSN programme, the most vulnerable refugees in Turkey will continue to receive the monthly financial assistance through a special debit card, named the "Kızılaykart".

It helps refugees meet their basic needs such as food and rent, and at the same time integrate into the local economy and society, according to the Commission.

"EU funding will also ensure more than half a million refugee children attend school regularly, and also help some 20 thousand out of school children catch up on their schooling," the Commission said. "Other support, such as access to healthcare and protection services, will also continue."

EU funding of refugees in Turkey

The EU Facility for Refugees in Turkey was set up on November 20, 105, with an agreement between the EU and Turkey in Brussels. It has a total budget of 6 billion Euro divided into two equal tranches of 3 billion Euro each.

The European Commission gives the following information about the project:

"Out of the funds of 6 billion, over €2.6 billion has already been disbursed, over 4.2 billion contracted and over 5.8 billion allocated, with 95 projects already rolled out.

"Out of the 6 billion, 2.4 billion are allocated to humanitarian aid. EU humanitarian aid in Turkey focuses on supporting the most vulnerable refugees through projects in health, education, protection and meeting basic needs.

"In addition to humanitarian assistance, development projects under the EU Facility for Refugees in Turkey focuses on education, migration management, health, municipal infrastructure, and socio-economic support." (PT/VK)