During the ministerial meeting on Iraq organised on the sidelines of the 72nd United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday 20 September, European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides was expected to announce that the EU would increase it emergency humanitarian aid by €10 million for the most vulnerable victims (particularly children) of the crisis in Iraq.
Stylianides was expected to underline that for international humanitarian aid the turning point was the end of the military campaign in Mosul. This city has now been liberated from so-called Islamic State.
"The protection of civilians is paramount and the international community must work together to help Iraqis rebuild their lives", a draft of Stylianides' speech, which was distributed the same day by the European Commission, states.
The new funding aims to provide lifesaving support to the populations affected in retaken areas and those affected by displacement. It will also provide psychosocial support. The additional funding brings the total EU humanitarian contribution for the most vulnerable in Iraq to €350 million since the start of the crisis in 2015. (AN)