EU launches programme to issue cash cards to migrants in Turkey

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EU and Turkey agree on €3 billion refugee deal

EU launches programme to issue cash cards to migrants in Turkey
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By EurActiv.com with Reuters  Tuesday September 27, 07:44:51 GMT+0200 2016
http://www.euractiv.com/section/justice-home-affairs/news/eu-launches-programme-to-issue-cash-cards-to-migrants-in-turkey/

   
   Christos Stylianides, 2nd from right, during the official launch event
   Emergency Social Safety Net (ESSN) aid programme in Turkey on 26 September.
   [Commission]
   
   The European Union launched a programme yesterday (27 September) to
   issue monthly electronic cash grants to benefit a million refugees in
   Turkey, as part of a deal under which Ankara will curb the numbers
   trying to enter Europe.
   
   The Emergency Social Safety Net (ESSN) will give refugees pre-paid
   cards for food, housing, schooling or medical expenses in Turkey.
   
   Earlier this year, EU countries approved a fund of €3 billion to help
   Turkey improve living conditions for some 3 million Syrian migrants on
   its territory. The ESSN is part of that deal.
   
   
   EU and Turkey agree on €3 billion refugee deal
   The leaders of the 28 EU member states, and Turkish Prime Minister
   Ahmed Davuto?lu, agreed on Sunday (29 November) on a deal to stem the
   flow of refugees to Europe, coupled with an unfreezing of accession
   negotiations, and an initial €3 billion assistance package
   EurActiv.com
   
   "Today we launch the biggest and largest humanitarian project the EU
   has ever supported. It will provide a basic source of income for 1
   million Syrian refugees," Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis
   Management Christos Stylianides said at a news conference.
   
   "The ESSN is perfect proof of the EU's commitment to tackle the
   challenge posed by the refugee crisis," he said.
   
   The EU is also funding other humanitarian projects in Turkey. But
   President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has accused the bloc of not following
   through on its financial pledges.
   
   More than a million migrants entered the European Union after crossing
   from Turkey to Greece by boat last year. Since Turkey agreed to prevent
   people from setting sail from its shores, the numbers taking that route
   have fallen dramatically.
   
   
   Timmermans: Failure on EU-Turkey deal will turn Greece into refugee camp
   Failure to agree a deal with Turkey at today's summit on migration will
   condemn Greece to becoming the refugee camp of Europe, Commission First
   Vice-President Frans Timmermans warned on Wednesdays (16 March).
   EurActiv.com
   
   On Turkey's criticism that the promised EU aid for refugees was slow to
   arrive, Stylianides said he held discussions with Turkey's EU Affairs
   Minister Omer Celik on the issue.
   
   "I think now minister Celik recognises and realises that this process
   for all European funding is going well and I think day by day the
   situation is getting better," he said.
   
   The ESSN will be implemented by the World Food Programme and the
   Turkish Red Crescent, in collaboration with the Turkish Ministry of
   Family and Social Policy and the Disaster and Emergency Management
   Presidency.
   
   By EurActiv.com with Reuters "
   

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once in Holland they seem to be doing very well :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4k6ZX2AK8I