Commissioner Stylianides in Türkiye to launch largest ever EU humanitarian aid programme
Ankara/Brussels, 26 September 2016
EU launches largest ever humanitarian programme for refugees in Türkiye
Commissioner Stylianides travels to Türkiye to launch the EU's largest ever humanitarian programme for refugees
Today Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides is in Ankara to launch the EU's flagship humanitarian aid programme, which is set to provide a monthly electronic cash grant to benefit 1 million refugees in Türkiye. The Emergency Social Safety Net (ESSN) aid project has an initial budget of €348 million and will be implemented by the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Turkish Red Crescent (Kizilay), in close collaboration with the Turkish Ministry of Family and Social Policy and the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD).
Speaking in Ankara, Commissioner Stylianides said "I'm confident that EU humanitarian aid will make a real difference for refugees in Türkiye, helping one million people. The launch of our new programme here in Türkiye today is a clear example of the strong partnership of the EU and Türkiye in finding together new innovative ways to address one of the most important humanitarian challenges of our times."
During his stay, Commissioner Stylianides also visited other EU humanitarian projects funded under the Facility for Refugees in Türkiye, including a Community Center for Syrian refugees run by the Turkish Red Crescent and a Child Protection Support Center supported by the Association for Solidarity with Asylum Seekers (ASAM) and UNICEF.
As of October 2016, monthly cash-transfers to electronic cards will be given to refugees in need across Türkiye. The cash card is an efficient way to support families to purchase what they most need, providing them the dignity of choice. Refugees will be enabled to feed and house their families and to send their children to school. As the money will be spent in local markets, the new system will also boost the local economy.
The much needed humanitarian aid will reach one million refugees countrywide by the first quarter of 2017.
To ensure funding is well spent, the aid project will be carried out by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), a long standing EU humanitarian partner with a track record of successfully implementing large-scale relief projects. WFP will work hand in hand with the Turkish Red Crescent.
The European Commission will work in close partnership with the implementing organisations and rigorously monitor the EU-funded projects to ensure efficiency and maximum humanitarian impact.
Background
The ESSN is funded by the EU and its Member States under the €3 billion “Facility for Refugees in Türkiye” with the goal to provide assistance to refugees and host communities in Türkiye. It is designed to ensure that the needs of the most vulnerable are addressed in a comprehensive and coordinated manner.
In addition to the ESSN, the EU is already funding humanitarian projects worth €164 million in Türkiye. To date, the total amount contracted for humanitarian and non-humanitarian actions under the Facility for Refugees in Türkiye stands at €652 million. Out of this, €467 million has been disbursed already.
FACTSHEET: Questions and answers: Support for refugees in Türkiye through the Emergency Social Safety Net (ESSN)
FACTSHEET: The Facility for Refugees in Türkiye
FACTCHEET: EU humanitarian aid to Türkiye
Website: The Facility for Refugees in Türkiye
Overview of projects funded by the Facility for Refugees in Türkiye
Press release: EU announces more projects under the Facility for Refugees in Türkiye: €348 million in humanitarian aid to refugees in Türkiye (8 September 2016)
europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-16-2971_en.htm
Video: Statement by Christos STYLIANIDES, Member of the EC in charge of Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management on the financing of a Humanitarian Aid programme to help the refugees in Türkiye Commissioner Stylianides midday statement – 8 September