Turkey: EU provides further €325 million in humanitarian aid for refugees

The EU has allocated an additional €325 million to extend the Emergency Social Safety Net (ESSN) programme until early 2023. The ESSN provides more than 1.5 million refugees in Turkey with monthly cash transfers to cover their essential needs. It is the biggest humanitarian programme in the history of the EU, and the world's biggest humanitarian cash assistance programme. During his visit to Ankara on 2 December, Crisis Management Commissioner Janez Lenarčič said: “Vulnerable refugees in Turkey have now been able to rely on our humanitarian assistance for more than five years, and we will not let them down. Thanks to the funds announced today, the EU will continue the ESSN programme until early 2023. This support is a critical lifeline for hundred thousands of families, many of whom have been especially hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic. This cash assistance enables them to decide for themselves what they need most urgently, whilst contributing to the Turkish economy. This is a major achievement for the EU, for our humanitarian partners and the government of Turkey.”

Commissioner Lenarčič is due to meet representatives of EU funded humanitarian organisations as well as high-level Turkish government officials. The press release is available online.

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