EU supports UNICEF and WHO with €3 million in humanitarian aid for polio vaccinations in Syria

Today the European Commission has announced €3 million in humanitarian funding for a UNICEF and World Health Organisation-led nationwide polio vaccination campaign in Syria.

The campaign aims to reach 2 million children in areas where medical access remains critical, such as in besieged, hard-to-reach and under-served areas.

The announcement comes as the United Nations Security Council is set to debate Healthcare in Armed Conflict today.

Christos Stylianides, EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid & Crisis Managementsaid "Today we are announcing concrete support for Syrian children who are the first to suffer from inadequate access to healthcare. The EU is committed to supporting the most vulnerable victims of the Syrian conflict. Our support can make a real difference. It can save lives and improve conditions. Yet for health workers to do their remarkable job, they need safe and unimpeded access. The systematic attacks on medical facilities in Syria and the rising civilian casualties in recent weeks are worsening the humanitarian situation. I continue to urge all parties to the conflict to cease targeting the civilian population and medical facilities, in accordance with international humanitarian law, and to allow medical items through in aid convoys."

Today's funding is part of the €445 million in humanitarian aid, announced at the London donors' conference, that the Commission will provide in 2016 for the crisis in Syria.

The EU is a leading donor in the international response to the Syrian crisis. Over €5 billion in humanitarian, development, economic and stabilisation assistance has been provided so far by the EU and Member States collectively.

Background

After five years of conflict the humanitarian situation in Syria remains deeply troubling, with more than 50% of the population displaced inside Syria and in neighbouring countries.

Emergency humanitarian aid

Thanks to lifesaving aid provided by the Commission, some 2 million people in Syria have gained access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene items, 850 000 people have received food, 1 million people have received non-food items and shelter, and 350 000 children have been covered by child protection programmes.

In Jordan, the Commission’s humanitarian aid is helping more than 350 000 Syrian refugees.

In Lebanon, through its partners, the EU’s humanitarian aid reaches around 665 000 people.

In Turkey, EU humanitarian aid is funding the provisions of food, health assistance and protection through humanitarian partners and is now being channelled to the Facility for Refugees in Turkey.

The EU's humanitarian aid is impartial and independent and goes to people in need regardless of ethnic or religious considerations.