EU PLEDGES 1 BILLION EUROS TO LEBANON FOR “SOCIO-ECONOMIC STABILITY”
May 3, 2024EU chief Ursula von der Leyen announced $1 billion in aid to Lebanon yesterday to help tackle illegal migration, as rights groups warned against forced returns to Syria. The European Union has already agreed deals with Egypt, Tunisia, Mauritania and others aimed at helping stem flows of irregular migrants
“I can announce a financial package of $1 billion for Lebanon that would be available from this year until 2027,” the European Commission chief said, adding that “we want to contribute to Lebanon’s socio-economic stability.”
She said the aid was designed to strengthen basic services such as education and health amid a severe economic crisis.
Europe will also support Lebanon’s army, with the aid “mainly focused on providing equipment and training for border management.”
The EU Commission’s spokesman said in Brussels the aid will be disbursed “in grants,” with 736 million euros ($788 million) earmarked to support Lebanon “in response to the Syrian crisis.”
Lebanon’s economy collapsed in late 2019, turning it into a launchpad for migrants, with Lebanese joining Syrians and Palestinian refugees making perilous Europe-bound voyages.
Lebanon says it currently hosts around 2 million people from neighboring Syria — the world’s highest number of refugees per capita — with almost 785,000 registered with the United Nations.
“We understand the challenges that Lebanon faces with hosting Syrian refugees and other displaced persons,” said von der Leyen, adding that the EU had supported Lebanon with 2.6 billion euros to host them.
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