Press Release: Syria crisis: EU steps up assistance

The European Commission announced on the 23 September 2014 that it is increasing its aid to Syria and neighbouring countries by €215 million, as a four-year civil war shows no signs of abating and the suffering of millions of ordinary people - including new refugees - soars. The new funding includes €50 million in humanitarian aid and €165 million to support longer-term development.

This will provide relief inside and outside Syria, reducing pressure on its borders and in neighbouring countries. It will also help respond to the needs of the tens of thousands of refugees fleeing to Turkey in recent days, the largest wave of displacement since the beginning of the conflict. It is estimated that more than 6.4 million people have been displaced by the conflict inside Syria while more than three million refugees have been registered.

On the 24 September 2014 the European Commission announced that €112 million of the total sum of €215 million would be allocated to support children affected by the crisis in Syria. As part of the 'No Lost Generation' campaign, this money will fund education and child protection activities in Syria and neighbouring countries and support the vital work of national governments to strengthen their own national education systems.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Council scales up humanitarian assistance for Syria http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-council-scales-up-humanitarian-assistance-for-syria/

European Commission: RAPID: Press Release, IP/14/1047: Syria crisis: an extra €112 million to prevent a lost generation of children http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-14-1047_en.pdf

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