Refugee crisis: European Commission steps up humanitarian aid to Syria

The European Commission will give €62 million in humanitarian aid to support Syrians displaced by the conflict inside their country.

The European Commission will give €62 million in humanitarian aid to support Syrians displaced by the conflict inside the country. The funding allocation was announced today by European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, Christos Stylianides, who is concluding his visit to Jordan and Lebanon.

The new funding comes at a critical moment with a worsening security situation in the country and will help cover winterisation and basic needs of refugees and host communities, such as health care, clean water, shelter, rent and education.

Commissioner Christos Stylianides said: "We must continue to get humanitarian aid to Syrians in need as the coming winter will bring additional hardship to the most vulnerable. That's why the European Commission is taking action, getting lifesaving humanitarian aid to displaced Syrians inside the country and refugees in neighbouring countries. Over recent days in Jordan and Lebanon I've met entire families who have fled Syria. I've seen first hand how our humanitarian aid is making and will make a difference, yet peace is the only solution that can end the refugee crisis, a humanitarian crisis."

The new funding for Syria follows the recent announcements of €43 million for Lebanon and €28 million to Jordan, made by the Commissioner to the respective national authorities over 1-3 November. All in all €133 million in additional humanitarian aid in 2015 will go to the three respective countries.

On his visit, the Commissioner visited the Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan and refugees in the Bekaa valley in Lebanon. He discussed the growing needs of Syrian refugees with government officials and humanitarian partner organisations. 

Background

The funding allocation announced over recent days concerns the €200 million of additional humanitarian aid for 2015 proposed by the Commission on 23 September to provide immediate resources to respond to demands from UNHCR and the World Food Programme and other relevant organisations in order to help refugees immediately.

The EU is the leading donor to the Syria crisis with over €4.2 billion from the EU and Member States collectively in humanitarian, development, economic and stabilisation assistance.