UK aid for Turkey to help address impact of the Syria conflict

Britain to contribute up to £275 million over the next two years, as part of wider EU package of support.

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2015-11-15

The UK will contribute up to £275 million over the next two years to help Turkey address the consequences of the Syria conflict. This bilateral support will contribute to a wider European effort – coordinated through an intergovernmental agreement – that will lever support from other EU member states. Taken together with €500 million from the European Commission it will create a €3 billion package in total.

This new support was announced at the Valletta Summit in Malta where European and African leaders met to develop a co-ordinated approach to tackle the migration crisis.

The UK has been clear on the need to work closely with Turkey to address the consequences of the Syria conflict, including the refugee crisis created as a result. At the October European Council, EU leaders agreed an action plan that now needs to be implemented. According to UN figures, there are more than 2 million Syrian refugees registered in Turkey.

The extra support the UK will provide for Turkey is expected to be targeted at providing immediate humanitarian support as well as funding for schools, hospitals and housing required to support refugees left homeless by the conflict in Syria and help communities hosting refugees.

This builds on the UK’s existing funding, with the Department for International Development (DFID) providing £34 million to humanitarian projects in Turkey since the beginning of the Syria crisis response. This is providing Syrian refugees with food, basic commodities, clean drinking water and health assistance.

Source: UK Department for International Development

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