04/01/2021 (Agence Europe) – The European Union has adopted an additional €98.5 million assistance package to help Lebanon deal with the consequences of the explosion in the port of Beirut on 4 August 2020 and to support the needs of the population, the Commission announced on 23 December. Of this 100 million, 34 million comes from the European Neighbourhood Instrument and will be reoriented to improve governance, assist civil society, strengthen basic services and restore infrastructure. The remaining €64.5 million comes from the EU Regional Trust Fund in Response to the Syrian Crisis to support the most vulnerable refugee and Lebanese communities affected by the explosion. These funds are in addition to the €70 million mobilised by the EU immediately after the disaster. (CG)