EU adopts 297m euro in support of refugees, local communities in Jordan, Lebanon

AMMAN — The EU has adopted a new 297 million-euro-assistance package to support refugees and host communities in Jordan and Lebanon via the EU Regional Trust Fund in Response to the Syrian Crisis. 

In a statement on its website, the EU said it has decided to extend the mandate of the Trust Fund which will allow its projects to run until the end of 2023.

Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Olivér Várhelyi was quoted in the statement as saying: “The newly adopted assistance package will provide further support to refugees and host communities when it comes to livelihood, social protection, affordable quality healthcare, water and wastewater infrastructures.

The work of the EU Trust Fund has been instrumental in providing vital assistance to refugees fleeing from the Syrian war and to countries hosting refugees. The extension of the EU Regional Trust Fund in response to the Syrian Crisis allows us to continue our support to people in need and to the whole region”.

The assistance package consists of 59 million euros to strengthen the self-reliance of refugees and host communities in Jordan, work towards  an inclusive national social protection system and the creation of decent job opportunities for Syrians in addition to 39 million euros for the establishment of an integrated solid waste management system in Syrian refugee camps and neighbouring communities to improve health, environmental conditions and create job opportunities.

The package also consists 36 million euros to support the needs of Palestine refugees from Syria in Jordan and Lebanon, according to the statement. 

The new assistance package was adopted by the EU Trust Fund’s Operational Board, which brings together the European Commission, EU member states and Turkey. 

Observers of the Operational Board include members of the European Parliament, representatives from Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, the World Bank and the Syria Recovery Trust Fund. 

“With this newly adopted package, the Trust Fund has committed over 1.8 euros billion in concrete actions in the region, helping refugees and host countries alike,” according to the statement. 

The Trust Fund’s programmes support basic education and child protection services for refugees, training and higher education, better access to healthcare, improve access to water and wastewater infrastructure, support to resilience, women empowerment and fighting gender based violence, as well as economic opportunities and social stability. The fund can also support internally displaced persons in Iraq and actions in the Western Balkans, the statement said.