Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, Christos Stylianides, has announced additional aid for refugees – the EU will grant €115 million of additional funding under the EU Emergency Support Instrument to help those refugees based in Greece. This aid, which will bring the total funding under the instrument to €198 million, comes on top of the €83 million the European Commission has already provided earlier this year to international organizations and NGOs to address the most pressing humanitarian needs in Greece
“The European Commission continues to put solidarity into action to better manage the refugee crisis, in close cooperation with the Greek Government. The new funding has the key aim to improve conditions for refugees in Greece, and make a difference ahead of the upcoming winter. Over the past months, we have significantly contributed to restore dignified living conditions through our humanitarian partners. Together, we will continue our work until we reach our target”, Mr Stylianides said at the Thessaloniki International Fair.
The extra funding will focus on four pillars – improvement of existing shelters and construction of new ones in the camp facilities ahead of the upcoming winter, delivery of direct assistance to refugees through cash/voucher schemes, access to education for refugee children and aid for unaccompanied minors who are especially vulnerable and need special care and protection. The EU is also providing aid to cover shelter, primary health care, psychosocial support, better hygiene conditions, education and safe spaces for women and children.
The European Commission funds humanitarian aid for those in need within the EU territory through the Emergency Support Instrument. By 2018, almost €700 million of EU-funding will have been made available via partner organizations, such as UN agencies, the Red Cross and non-governmental organizations.
