1 million refugees in Turkey reached by EU’s Emergency Social Safety Net

Background and further information:

The Emergency Social Safety Net (ESSN) programme was launched by the European Commission in September 2016, and implemented by the World Food Programme and the Turkish Red Crescent in collaboration with the Turkish government. It became the largest humanitarian aid operation funded by the European Union to date.

The €348 million programme, financed through the EU Facility for Refugees in Turkey, provides monthly transfers to the most vulnerable refugees. Assistance is channelled through a special debit card that can be used to purchase essential items in local shops. This approach is cost-effective and provides refugees with the dignity of choice, while stimulating local economies. All funding is also closely monitored to ensure it is well spent.

The registration of refugees for the programme started in November 2016, and the first financial transfers began at the end of December the same year.

The European Commission announced on 17 October 2017 its Emergency Social Safety Net (ESSN) programme had reached one million refugees living in Turkey.