The EU adopted €297 million in concrete actions for refugees and local communities in Jordan and Lebanon

The European Union adopted a new €297 million assistance package to support refugees and host communities in Jordan and Lebanon via the EU Regional Trust Fund in Response to the Syrian Crisis. The EU has also decided to extend the mandate of the Trust Fund which will allow the Trust Fund’s projects to run until the end of 2023.

Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Olivér Várhelyi commented: “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 the following actions in support of refugees and host communities: 

• €45 million in support of economic development and social stability in Lebanon to foster economic growth and local development;
• €48 million to improve public water and wastewater services for local host communities and Syrian refugee populations in Lebanon;
• €70 million for better access to  quality, equitable and affordable health services for vulnerable populations in Lebanon;
• €59 million 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;
• €39 million for the establishment of an integrated solid waste management system in Syrian refugee camps and neighbouring communities in Jordan to improve health, environmental conditions and create job opportunities;
• €36 million to support the needs of Palestine refugees from Syria in Jordan and Lebanon.

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 billion in concrete actions in the region, helping refugees and host countries alike.

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