Turkey Refugee Facility

Monday 7th March 2016 Written Statements

[The Minister for Europe (Mr David Lidington)]

In November 2015, the EU committed to provide €3 billion of resources over 2016 and 2017 for Turkey under the EU-Turkey Action Plan. In return Turkey committed to enhance its support for Syrians under temporary protection in Turkey and to strengthen co-operation with the EU on preventing irregular migration flows to Europe.

Final arrangements for the €3 billion Turkey refugee facility have been agreed by all EU member states. The €3 billion Turkey refugee facility will be funded by €1 billion from the EU budget and €2 billion bilateral contributions from member states. Member states’ bilateral contributions are calculated according to their Gross National Income (GNI) share. The UK’s bilateral contribution will be €327 million (around £250 million). It will be official development assistance (ODA) expenditure and count towards the UK’s ODA target of 0.7% of GNI.

Member states have secured a strong role in the governance of the facility and disbursals will be tied to Turkish efforts to implement the EU-Turkey Action Plan. The €3 billion Turkey refugee facility will provide immediate humanitarian support and is expected also to fund the schools, hospitals and housing required over the longer term to support refugees and the communities in Turkey which host them.

[HCWS582]