The EU has adopted a new €297m package of humanitarian assistance for Syrian refugees, to be delivered through its Regional Trust Fund.
The funding will be distributed to refugees and host communities in Jordan and Lebanon through the EU Regional Trust Fund in Response to the Syrian Crisis: the EU has concurrently announced it will extend the Trust Fund’s remit until at least 2023. The Trust Fund, which was first established in 2014, aims to provide humanitarian assistance and support to refugees from Syria and their hosts in neighbouring countries, including Iraq, Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon; with a focus on supporting long term resilience and integration for refugees and structural support for the administrations of host countries.
The new assistance package, which will bring the total support provided by the EU Regional Trust Fund to those affected by the Syrian crisis to €1.8bn, will include:
- €59m to support refugee communities in becoming self-reliant, shoring up inclusivity in host communities and creating job opportunities for Syrians living in Jordan;
- €39m to develop an integrated solid waste management system in refugee camps and surrounding settlements in Jordan;
- €45m to promote economic and social development in Lebanon;
- €48m to improve public water and sanitation provision for Syrian refugees and host communities in Lebanon;
- €70m to improve access to healthcare for vulnerable communities in Lebanon; and
- €36m in targeted support for Palestinian refugees from Syria now living in Jordan and Lebanon.
Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Olivér Várhelyi said: “The newly adopted assistance package will provide further support to refugees and host communities when it comes to livelihood, social protection, affordable quality healthcare, water and wastewater infrastructures. The work of the EU Trust Fund has been instrumental in providing vital assistance to refugees fleeing from the Syrian war and to countries hosting refugees. The extension of the EU Regional Trust Fund in Response to the Syrian Crisis allows us to continue our support to people in need and to the whole region.”
