The European Union intends to halt the flow of Syrian refugees currently residing in Lebanon through substantial financial assistance amounting to nearly one billion euros, according to the German news agency.
EU officials have revealed that the aid funds are slated to bolster healthcare, education, and social services in Lebanon.
Moreover, allocations will be made to Lebanese security forces and the military, as well as to combat human trafficking networks and implement economic and financial reforms.
Furthermore, the plans include facilitating legal migration pathways.
The announcement of the support package is expected today (Thursday) during a visit to Lebanon by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides.
Particularly, the Cypriot government has recently criticized the increasing number of Syrian refugees from Lebanon, deeming it unsustainable, and has called on the EU to take action.
Lebanon has been hosting a large population of Syrian refugees for years, with estimates suggesting that hundreds of thousands have sought shelter within its borders since the onset of the Syrian conflict.
However, the strain on Lebanon’s infrastructure, economy, and social services has reached critical levels, prompting urgent action from the international community.
