23 million Euros for Syria. Europe releases emergency humanitarian aid
(BRUSSELS2) The European Commission has in fact adopted, today (Friday 8 June), a decision allowing the release of humanitarian aid of 23 million "special" euros to come to the aid of the Syrian population. Objective: to ensure a simple and rapid response to the most urgent needs of the Syrian population and Syrian refugees “, as detailed to the press the commissioner in charge of humanitarian aid, Kristalina Georgieva.
Meet the most urgent needs
« Basic products are expensive and access to basic services such as education and health is becoming increasingly difficult she comments. The funds concerned by this "special measure" must therefore relate to these products and services. Support for the media, cultural activities and civil society are also among the areas targeted.
The problem of access to land
Funds will be directed to organizations already on the ground who “ have access to the most vulnerable populations like the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Syria, or the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in neighboring countries. According to the latest UN estimates, approximately 1 million people have been displaced by what must be called an armed conflict, including more than 40 refugees. If more than 000 humanitarian actors are present in Syria, they are most of the time, with the exception of the Red Cross, prevented from accessing the regions with the most vulnerable populations. Funds must therefore be paid to organizations considered neutral by Bashir El Assad's regime.
What about the military option to ensure security of supply?
The humanitarian community sees this as a solution “ last resort "," only when there is no other possible access explained Kristalina Georgieva. She mentions the examples of Libya or Haiti where it was necessary and where " it had to come to that. »
