Brussels, 01/03/2016 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 2 March, the European Commission is expected to respond to a humanitarian contigency plan for Greece and other countries along the Balkans route. It will do this by preparing the ground for the possible use of ECHO funds (humanitarian and civil protection service funding) in the European Union.
Using the funds for vulnerable sectors of the population in third countries where it is needed in the EU will be unprecedented. This is the solution being mooted by the Commission to prevent the humanitarian situation getting worse in Greece and stopping a humanitarian crisis developing in countries along the Balkans route, which are submerged by flows of immigrants. This was requested by heads of state and government during the European Council on 18 and 19 February (see EUROPE 11493).
Speaking on Twitter, the European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, Christos Stylianides announced “Tomorrow I propose to the college of commissioners an instrument for emergency assistance inside the EU”.
Commission Spokesperson, Margaritis Schinas, confirmed the news to the press by announcing the presentation of a communication from the Commission on providing emergency support in the EU. He explained that “this is a necessary step to avoid human suffering. The priority is to ensure protecting the lives of those fleeing the war and debacle”. If it is to be introduced, this humanitarian instrument will require agreement from both Parliament and the Council (see EUROPE 11500).
The contigency plan for Greece is currently being prepared. It had been requested by the President of the European Commission, Jean Claude Juncker, during the meeting he had with the Greek Prime Minister, Alexis Tsipras on 17 February in Brussels, ahead of the European Council (see EUROPE 11492). Since then, the Commission has been working in close cooperation with the Greek authorities to complete their needs assessment, which is currently being finalised.
Natasha Bertaud, the spokesperson for Commissioner Avramopoulos explained that “The Commission is, of course, closely following the situation and has been preparing contingency plans to assist Greece and also other countries along the Western Balkans route. The Commission is now notably looking at current and future needs in accommodation, human resources, funding and… material support”.
On Tuesday 1 March, Greece requested by way of the EU civil protection mechanism, more assistance in order to be able to respond to the needs of the refugees currently trapped on its territory. Commissioner Stylianides was quick to launch an appeal to member states to further mobilise on this question. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)