EU approves another 149m euros in aid for Syrian refugees in Turkey

The Council of the European Union on Sept. 29 approved another 149 million euros in aid for refugees living in Turkey although the decision has still to be approved by the European Parliament.

Anadolu Agency 

EU ambassadors on Sept. 29 approved €149.6 million ($174 million) extra funding for Syrian refugees in Turkey.

The financial support will extend the bloc’s multi-purpose cash assistance program that provides monthly transfers for the most vulnerable refugees in the country, the Council of the EU wrote in a press release.

The scheme, officially named Emergency Social Safety Net, is the biggest humanitarian program in the bloc’s history that has been helping 1.8 million refugees to cover essential needs of rent, bills, food, and medicine.

The additional €149.6 million will be financed from the remaining margin of the 2021 budget.

The budgetary amendment has yet to be approved by the European Parliament.

Turkey is the largest host country for Syrian refugees, providing protection to nearly 4 million people who fled the neighboring country.