Brussels, 10/09/2013 (Agence Europe) - On 10 September, the European Commission granted fresh aid of €58 million to support Lebanon in the face of the influx of Syrian refugees.
€40 million will be given for the improvement of pre-school education for Syrian and Lebanese children, for access to quality education for Syrian and Lebanese school-age children, and for learning opportunities for adolescents and young people. The funding will be implemented mainly through the United Nations agencies (UNHCR, UNICEF and UNRWA). The €40 million is part of the additional aid announced in the Commission's communication - Towards a comprehensive EU approach to the Syrian crisis - at the end of June (see EUROPE 10873 and 10917).
The remaining €18 million will be used to finance initiatives that are mainly for the benefit of host communities, such as the improvement of local basic infrastructure (water supply, sanitation, solid waste management) and support for the local economy, with the creation of jobs and intensive social support (conflict prevention, support to vulnerable people).
Lebanon is currently hosting over 700,000 Syrian refugees, as well as Palestinians from Syria and Lebanese returning to their country. (CG/transl.fl)