EU Grants €2 Million to UNICEF to Meet Urgent Needs of Child Refugees and Migrants on the Move in the Western Balkans
NEW YORK (November 11, 2015) – The European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection Department (ECHO) has granted €2 million to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) for children on the move in the Republic of Serbia and in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
This is the first contribution of ECHO to UNICEF to respond to the refugees and migrants moving through Europe.
These funds will help UNICEF and its partners address the needs of child refugees and migrants passing through these two countries. The project will provide €2 million to assist 170,000 infants, children and mothers with 24/7 operational child friendly spaces in which families can rest, receive first aid and essentials for the winter such as blankets and children’s clothes, and help boost child protection systems. It will also provide age appropriate food for children between 0-24 months and consultations with mothers on breastfeeding and best nutrition practices.
"Children are caught in the middle of this unprecedented and unpredictable crisis. They are on the move to a better life in Europe. Now, with winter looming, their needs are greater than ever. We cannot let them down,” said Marie-Pierre Poirier, Special Coordinator for the Refugee and Migrant Crisis in Europe. “This generous ECHO grant will go a long way to helping us help ease their precarious journeys.”
About European Commission's Directorate General for Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection (ECHO)
The European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection department (ECHO) funds relief operations for victims of natural disasters and conflicts outside the European Union. Aid is channelled impartially, straight to victims, regardless of their race, ethnic group, religion, gender, age, nationality or political affiliation. ECHO is among UNICEF’s largest humanitarian donors. In 2014 alone, ECHO provided over 85.3 million Euros for UNICEF’s projects worldwide to support children.
About UNICEF
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) works in more than 190 countries and territories to put children first. UNICEF has helped save more children’s lives than any other humanitarian organization, by providing health care and immunizations, clean water and sanitation, nutrition, education, emergency relief and more. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF supports UNICEF's work through fundraising, advocacy and education in the United States. Together, we are working toward the day when no children die from preventable causes and every child has a safe and healthy childhood. For more information, visit www.unicefusa.org.
For more information, contact:
Sophie Aziakou, U.S. Fund for UNICEF, 917.720.1397, saziakou@unicefusa.org