EU announces additional €4 million in emergency aid to help refugees in Serbia

The announcement of additional aid comes as Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides is currently on his fourth visit to Serbia, where he is assessing the humanitarian situation on the ground and discussing the EU’s humanitarian support for refugees with government officials. The new projects will finance food distribution in reception centres, the protection of the most vulnerable groups in affected populations during the upcoming winter months, and education-related activities.

“Serbia has been a reliable partner to the European Union, and our partnership has allowed an effective response to the refugee crisis. The EU has been a leading provider of humanitarian aid to the hosting of refugees in Serbia since 2015. We have helped improve conditions in many reception centres, contributed to food provision in camps, provided education in emergencies to children and helped in providing health services. The additional projects announced today will address the needs of the most vulnerable population especially during the upcoming winter season,” said Commissioner Stylianides.

Since 2015, the EU has been the largest contributor of emergency aid to Serbia. Humanitarian aid from the  Commission’s now stands at €25 million, and has enabled the provision of emergency assistance (food, water, hygiene, essential items, health and protection) at transit and reception points, including borders and waiting areas. The aid has also gone towards the reinforcement of Serbian border control capabilities. A total of more than €80 million have been provided to the country in EU migration-related funding since 2015.

Original source: European Commission.
Posted on 9 October 2017