EU to support Syrian refugees in Lebanon, Jordan

QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – On Friday, the European Union delegation to Lebanon announced its approval to send an assistance package of 130 million euros to support the Syrian refugees and local communities in Lebanon and Jordan.

The announcement coincided with the approaching of the completion of the first decade of the Syrian war on March 15.

The package assistance aims to support Syrian refugees in key fields such as social protection, healthcare services and waste management.

The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (HR/VP), Josep Borrell, said “15 March 2021 sadly marks ten years since the start of the Syrian crisis. A tragic anniversary.”

Borrell pointed out that the ongoing struggle in Syria and the spread of COVID-19 in addition to the deteriorating economic situation have increased the suffering in the whole region.

“The EU will host the fifth Brussels Conference on ‘Supporting the future of Syria and the region’ on 29 and 30 March to reaffirm international support for the UN efforts for a negotiated political solution to the Syrian conflict in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2254,” he added.

The EU will continue to support the Syrians and their host communities in the neighboring countries, according to Borrell.

Lebanon will receive 98 million euros, while Jordan 32, as they host the largest number of refugees in the world in relative to their population, according to the announcement. 

Jordan hosts about 663,000 Syrian refugees registered in the UN, while Lebanon hosts about one million, according to statistics of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). 

During the conference of “Supporting the future of Syria and the region” which was held from June 22 to 30, the EU pledged to provide humanitarian support in total of 2.3 billion euros to Syria during 2020 and 2021.