North Africa: EU mobilises €20 million in humanitarian aid for vulnerable populations

The European Commission announced €20 million in humanitarian funding to be provided in Algeria, Egypt, and Libya. The funding will support the most vulnerable people affected by the region’s political and protracted crises; the over four-decade-long Sahrawi refugee crisis in Algeria, the volatile Libyan crisis, and the refugees and asylum seekers in Egypt.

Janez Lenarčič, Commissioner for Crisis Management said: ”Millions of refugees, migrants, and asylum seekers but also internally displaced, returnees and host populations are in desperate need of humanitarian aid in North Africa. The last year, the COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated the already dire conditions in the region. This includes the forgotten refugee crisis in Algeria, where close to 80% of the refugees remain dependent on humanitarian assistance for their minimum daily food intake. The EU’s assistance will help the most vulnerable people to meet their basic needs, as well as access protection and education, among other support.”

Out of the €20 million funding:

• €9 million will support the Sahrawi refugees in Algeria with food, nutrition, and clean water. It will also help the most vulnerable access healthcare and education.
• €6 million will help extremely vulnerable people in Libya access healthcare, education, shelter, protection services and meet their basic needs.
• €5 million will help vulnerable refugees and asylum seekers in Egypt access protection services and education, as well as help them meet their most basic needs.

All EU humanitarian assistance is delivered in partnership with UN agencies, international organizations, and NGOs. It is provided in line with the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence.