European Commission, Press release, Brussels, 23 September 2014:
The European Commission is
increasing its aid to Syria and neighbouring countries by €215 million,
as a four-year civil war shows no signs of abating and the suffering of
millions of ordinary people - including new refugees - soars. The new
funding includes €50 million in humanitarian aid and €165 million to
support longer-term development.
This will provide relief inside
and outside Syria, reducing pressure on its borders and in neighbouring
countries. It will also help respond to the needs of the tens of
thousands of refugees fleeing to Turkey in recent days, the largest wave
of displacement since the beginning of the conflict. It is estimated
that more than 6.4 million people have been displaced by the conflict
inside Syria while more than three million refugees have been
registered.
"The conflict in Syria continues unabated, and the needs of the Syrian people grow inexorably," said Kristalina Georgieva, Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response. "The
people of Syria are being terrorised by this inhuman conflict. I warmly
commend Lebanon, Iraq, Turkey Jordan and Egypt for their generosity
towards Syrian refugees but it is clear that the capacities in
neighbouring countries to absorb so many people are stretched to their
limits. In the last few days alone more than a hundred thousand people
have crossed into Turkey, whose government deserves our deep gratitude
for keeping its border open".
"Once again,
I call for an end to the fighting, for all parties to commit themselves
to reaching a political solution and, until such a time arrives, to
abide by International Humanitarian Law and protect civilians and the
humanitarian workers assisting them."
Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy Štefan Füle said: “Capacities
in neighbouring countries are stretched to their limits: I would like
to reiterate the European citizens' solidarity with all of those
affected by the Syrian crisis and the EU’s commitment to support the
governments and host communities of Syria's neighbours so they can deal
effectively with the increasing flow of refugees”.
The significant new European
funding will boost life-saving and ongoing assistance both inside Syria
and in the heavily burdened neighbouring countries. The assistance will
include emergency medical response, with both medical and psycho-social
care to the wounded and the traumatized, especially children; provision
of food and safe water; provision of shelter, registration and
protection of refugees.
It will also support Syrian
civil society organisations, access to education and health services for
displaced Syrian children and Palestine Refugees from Syria and
strengthen local infrastructure and increase opportunities to make a
living for those affected by the Syrian crisis, both inside Syria and in
the neighbouring countries.
Background
The conflict in Syria is in its
fourth year and shows no signs of abating. The crisis has become the
largest humanitarian and security disaster in the world. The
humanitarian consequences have reached an unprecedented scale with an
estimated 10.8 million people inside Syria needing assistance. Out of
these, more than 6.4 million people are internally displaced. It is now
estimated that 4.7 million people reside in areas that are hard to
reach, including about 241 000 people who continue to live in areas that
are besieged by either government or opposition forces.
A further three million people
have been forced to flee and find refuge in neighbouring countries. Up
to 191 000 people have lost their lives in the conflict and many
thousands more have been wounded. An entire generation of children has
been exposed to war, violence and death, and has been deprived of basic
freedoms, protection and education.
The EU humanitarian assistance,
channelled through mandated and professional partners (UN agencies, NGOs
and the Red Cross/Crescent family), is provided, to all people in need:
the internally displaced, refugees and host populations, in accordance
with humanitarian principles and needs. The EU humanitarian aid
primarily supports life-saving food and nutritional items, medical
emergency responses, shelter, distribution of basic non-food items, safe
water, sanitation and hygiene and protection, including gender based
violence and child protection.
Preparing for the coming winter
is a priority, delivering shelter, blankets and core-relief items to
those most in need before the onset of the cold weather. In the area of
essential health services, the Commission shall continue to support the
immunisation campaigns of polio and measles, helping to protect people
against this life-threatening disease. The provision of essential drugs,
maternal and reproduction health services will continue. In the
neighbouring countries, the Commission and our humanitarian partners
will continue to support vulnerable newcomers with the provision of
food, shelter, hygiene and winterisation.
http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-14-1034_en.htm?locale=en
23/9/14
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