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EU gives 3 mln euros in humanitarian aid for polio vaccinations in Syria

Xinhua, May 3, 2016 Adjust font size:

The European Commission announced 3 million euros (3.47 million U.S. dollars) in humanitarian funding for a UNICEF and World Health Organization-led nationwide polio vaccination campaign in Syria on Tuesday.

The campaign aimed to reach 2 million children in areas where medical access remains critical, such as in besieged, hard-to-reach and under-served areas, said the Commission.

"The EU is committed to supporting the most vulnerable victims of the Syrian conflict. Our support can make a real difference. It can save lives and improve conditions...The systematic attacks on medical facilities in Syria and the rising civilian casualties in recent weeks are worsening the humanitarian situation," said Christos Stylianides, EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid & Crisis Management.

"I continue to urge all parties to the conflict to cease targeting the civilian population and medical facilities, in accordance with international humanitarian law, and to allow medical items through in aid convoys," added the Commissioner.

This funding is part of the 445 million euros in humanitarian aid, announced at the London donors' conference, that the Commission would provide in 2016 for the crisis in Syria, according to the Commission. Endit