March 2 (SeeNews) - The European Commission said on Wednesday it has proposed an emergency assistance instrument unlocking 700 million euro ($759.5 million) financial aid in the 2016-2018 period to be used to provide a faster, more targeted response to the refugee crisis.
The initiative comes as the crisis has reached an unprecedented scale with the need to provide immediate emergency support in several member states hosting large amounts of refugees on their territories, particularly in countries along the Western Balkans route, the Commission said in a statement.
"Right now, there's no doubt that this will be particularly needed to support refugees. Today's proposal will make 700 million euro available to provide help where it is most needed. I now look to European governments and the European Parliament to quickly back the proposal," European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides said.
Member states, whose own response capacities are overwhelmed by urgent and exceptional circumstances, such as the sudden influx of refugees or other major disruptions, could benefit from this new instrument.
Funding would not be diverted from existing external humanitarian aid programmes outside the EU.
($=0.9216 euro)