The European Union has fully mobilised the €6 billion operational budget of the Facility for Refugees in Turkey, in line with its commitment to the implementation of the EU-Turkey Statement. Out of the total Facility budget of €6 billion, €4.3 billion has now been contracted and €2.7 billion disbursed.

Oliver Várhelyi, Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, commented: "The full mobilisation of the €6 billion of the Facility for Refugees in Turkey confirms the European Union's commitment to deliver on its promises. We will continue our support to refugees and host communities in Turkey in various areas that are of key importance to their quality of life, the future of their children and their integration at large”.

Janez Lenarčič, EU Commissioner for Crisis Management, added: "Supporting refugees in Turkey is a priority for the EU. Thanks to EU's support, more than 1.7 million vulnerable refugees cover their basic needs, such as rent and medicine, and more than half a million refugee children go to school. EU continues to deliver on its promise to refugees and Turkey.”

The announcement comes following the thirteen Steering Committee meeting of the EU Facility for Refugees in Turkey which took place in Brussels on 9 December. Chaired by the Commission, the Committee brought together representatives of EU Member States, European Parliament and Turkey. The Committee confirmed the full mobilisation of the €6 billion operational budget and gave a state of play of current implementation.

Implementation state of play

Total disbursements should reach €3 billion by the end of 2019, with a further increase to €4 billion envisaged by end-2020. Thanks to this support, 95 projects are currently up and running across Turkey benefitting more than 1.7 million refugees, including 500.000 refugee children who have access to education. A further 25 additional contracts are expected to be signed in the coming months. Facility projects will continue to be rolled out with the first generation of projects finishing in 2021 and the second in 2025, at the latest.