Brussels, 24/09/2014 (Agence Europe) - Another €215 million has just been committed by the European Commission to help victims of the Syrian crisis - in Syria itself and in its neighbouring countries (Lebanon, Iraq, Turkey, Jordan and Egypt). The decision on this funding was taken by the Commission on Wednesday 24 September - with the civil war entering its fourth year and with no prospect conflict resolution. The Commission's decision includes €50 million in emergency humanitarian aid and €165 million in long term development aid.
“The conflict in Syria continues unabated, and the needs of the Syrian people grow inexorably. The people of Syria are being terrorised by this inhuman conflict”, says European Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response Kristalina Georgieva, as quoted in a press release. Georgieva again commends the generosity shown by Lebanon, Iraq, Turkey, Jordan and Egypt in hosting the Syrian refugees, although their capacities are overstretched. “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”, says Georgieva. She reiterates her call “for all parties to (…) abide by international humanitarian law and protect civilians and the humanitarian workers assisting them”.
The new humanitarian funding will enable the provision of medical aid, medical care and psycho-social assistance to the wounded and to those who are traumatised, especially children. It will also enable the provision of food and water, shelter and the registration and protection of refugees. The aid will be channelled through the humanitarian partner organisations of ECHO (the European Commission's Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection Department) - United Nations agencies, NGOs, Red Cross and Red Crescent.
The longer term aid will finance support for Syria's civil society organisations, access to education and health services for displaced Syrian children and Palestinian refugees in Syria, and the strengthening of local infrastructure and possibilities offered to victims of the war to earn a living, inside Syria and in the neighbouring countries.
The conflict has thus far claimed 191,000 lives and left thousands wounded. Around 6.4 million people have been displaced and the number of people needing help is estimated at 10.8 million. Approximately 4.7 million Syrians are in areas that are hard to reach and this includes about 241,000 who continue to live in areas that are besieged by either government or armed opposition forces. (AN)